The propagation environment around airborne platforms may significantly degrade the performance of Electro-Optical
(EO) self-protection systems installed onboard. To ensure the sufficient level of protection, it is necessary to understand
that are the best sensors/effectors installation positions to guarantee that the aeromechanical turbulence, generated by the
engine exhausts and the rotor downwash, does not interfere with the imaging systems normal operations.
Since the radiation-propagation-in-turbulence is a hardly predictable process, it was proposed a high-level approach in
which, instead of studying the medium under turbulence, the turbulence effects on the imaging systems processing are
assessed by means of an equivalent statistical model representation, allowing a definition of a Turbulence index to classify
different level of turbulence intensities.
Hence, a general measurement methodology for the degradation of the imaging systems performance in turbulence
conditions was developed. The analysis of the performance degradation started by evaluating the effects of turbulences
with a given index on the image processing chain (i.e., thresholding, blob analysis). The processing in turbulence (PIT)
index is then derived by combining the effects of the given turbulence on the different image processing primitive
functions.
By evaluating the corresponding PIT index for a sufficient number of testing directions, it is possible to map the
performance degradation around the aircraft installation for a generic imaging system, and to identify the best installation
position for sensors/effectors composing the EO self-protection suite.
In this paper authors provide a description of the currently deployed Man Portable Air Defense System (ManPADS) heat-seeking missiles. Principles of IR seeking and Aircraft signatures are shortly described. Basic information are listed on currently designed Infra-Red Counter Measure Systems, intended to protect Aircrafts against ManPADS. Authors provide an overview on ELT-572(v)2 DIRCM Program, funded by Italian Air Force, currently in low rate production phase. Description of the Design and Development phase, completed in Elettronica SpA in 2013, is reported. Development Test and Evaluation (DTE) Activities on ELT-572(v)2 DIRCM, jointly performed by Elettronica Spa and Italian Air Force Flight Test Centre, are shortly described. A summary of tests and some results are also discussed. Platform Installation Programs, using the low rate production units from ELT-572(v)2 DIRCM Program, are finally listed.
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