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| AN/ALE-47 | |
|---|---|
| Chaff andflare ejector | |
 AN/ALE-47countermeasures dispenser | |
| Status | In use |
| Manufacturing Info | |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems |
| Introduced | 1998 (1998) |
| No. Produced | >3,000 |
| Developed From | AN/ALE-40 |
| Usage | |
| Used byMilitary | |
TheAN/ALE-47 airbornecountermeasures dispenser is used to protect military aircraft from incomingradar andinfrared homingmissiles. It works by dispensingflares orchaff from a large variety ofUS military aircraft, as well as those in other militaries.
In accordance with theJoint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALE-47" designation represents the 47th design of anArmy-Navy airborne electronic device forcountermeasures ejection equipment. The JETDS system is now also used to name allDepartment of Defense and someNATO electronic systems.
The AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser was developed byTracor, now part ofBAE Systems,[1] as an improved version of the older AN/ALE-40 system with more autonomy and software.[2] The ALE-47 is also manufactured by Symetrics Industries,[3] out ofMelbourne, Florida. It can be integrated on a wide range of aircraft, includinghelicopters,cargo aircraft andfighters. It reachedinitial operating capability (IOC) within theUS Navy in 1998.[4] It has since been integrated on 38 different types of aircraft, including theF-16 Fighting Falcon,F/A-18 Hornet,C-17 Globemaster III,CH-47 andUH-60 among others. As of 2008, over 3000 sets have been delivered and are employed on aircraft of 30 different nations.[5]
The ALE-47 is integrated with aircraftradar warning receivers,missile approach warning systems and otherelectronic warfare sensors. When aircraft sensors detect a threat, the countermeasure dispenser system automatically launchesradio frequency and infrared countermeasures to defeat incominganti-aircraft missiles. The ALE-47 is compatible with a wide variety offlares andchaff types. It is also designed to work with advanced future countermeasures.[5]
The ALE-47 consists of acockpit control unit, sequencer units, countermeasure dispensers and an optional programmer. The cockpit control unit provides an interface with the pilot. A programmer can be added for extra features, such as advanced threat evaluation and may also be used to fully integrate the system with an aircraft'sglass cockpit eliminating the need for the cockpit control unit. The sequencer units control the dispensers, and are capable of automatically detecting misfires and correcting them. Onrotary-wing aircraft, the sequencers are built into the dispenser units. The system can accommodate up to 32 dispensers onfixed-wing aircraft and 16 on rotary-wing aircraft. Each dispenser can hold five different types of countermeasures with up to 30 installed.[5]
| ActiveCountermeasures (Jamming) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PassiveRadar Warning Receivers | |||||||||
| Missile Warning Systems | |||||||||
| Dedicated ECM /ESM aircraft |
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