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| AN/ALE-47 | |
|---|---|
| Chaff andflare ejector | |
 AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser | |
| Status | In use |
| Manufacturing Info | |
| Manufacturer | BAE Systems |
| Introduced | 1998 (1998) |
| No. Produced | >3,000 |
| Developed From | AN/ALE-40 |
| Usage | |
| Used by Military | |
TheAN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System is used to protect military aircraft from incomingradar andinfrared homingmissiles. It works by dispensingflares orchaff. It is used on a variety ofU.S. Air Force,Navy, andArmy aircraft, as well as in other militaries.
The AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser system was developed byTracor, now part ofBAE Systems,[1] as an improved version of the older ALE-40 system, with more autonomy and software.[2] The AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser system is also manufactured bySymetrics Industries,[3] out of Melbourne, Florida. The AN/ALE-47 system can be integrated on a wide range of aircraft, includinghelicopters, cargo aircraft andfighters. It reachedinitial operating capability (IOC) in theU.S. Navy in 1998.[4] It has been integrated on 38 different types of aircraft, including theF-16,F/A-18,C-17,CH-47 andUH-60. As of 2008, over 3000 sets have been delivered and the system is used by 30 different nations.[5]
The ALE-47 is integrated with the aircraft'sradar warning receivers, missile warning receivers and other electronic warfare sensors. When the aircraft's sensors detect a threat, the countermeasure dispenser system automatically launches radiofrequency and infrared countermeasures at the optimum time to defeat incoming missiles. The ALE is compatible with a wide variety of countermeasures such as different types offlares andchaff. It is also designed to work with advanced future countermeasures.[5]
The ALE-47 consists of a cockpit 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 to add extra features, such as advanced threat evaluation. It can 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 automatically capable of detectingmisfires and correcting them. The sequencers are built into the dispenser units on therotary-wing version. Each dispenser can hold five different types of countermeasures for a total of 30. The whole system can accommodate up to 32 dispensers onfixed-wing aircraft and 16 on rotary-wing aircraft.[5]
| ActiveCountermeasures (Jamming) | |
|---|---|
| PassiveRadar Warning Receivers | |
| Missile Warning Systems | |
| Flare andChaff Systems | |
| Directional IRCM | |
| Dedicated ECM /ESM aircraft | |
