Israeli defense company BIRD Aerosystems has completed the delivery, installation, and commissioning of its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) for an undisclosed African nation.
The system was fitted to an African air force’s Mi-17 transport and Mi-24 attack helicopters. While the firm did not identify the customer, countries such as Angola, Chad, and Uganda are known to operate both helicopter types.
Designed to protect aircraft from surface-to-air missile threats, including MANPADS, the AMPS integrates BIRD’s Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System (SPREOS) directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) with its compact μEYE missile warning sensor (MWS).
The μEYE system uses an opto-electronic sensor to rapidly detect and alert aircrews of incoming missile threats.
It then activates SPREOS, which confirms the threat using a semi-active radar, analyzing its position, speed, and radar cross-section to select the most effective countermeasure.
Once verified, SPREOS deploys a dual-band laser to jam the missile’s seeker while tracking its trajectory to ensure the threat is neutralized.
According to BIRD Aerosystems, the technology provides “zero false alarms” even against sophisticated missile threats.
