美 Northrop Grumman 社 Guardian Anti-Missile System 소식

 

美 Northrop Grumman 社가 개발한 휴대용 대공미사일에 대한 회피 시스템 Guardian™ 이 주방위군 소속

KC-135 공중급유기들에 장착할 목적으로 지난 1월말 부터 본격 시험평가 비행에 들어갔다는 소식 입니다.

 

제작사가 제공하는 관련 동영상과 사진들을 아래 소개 합니다.

 

(아래 영문 보도문 제목의 Evaluation 에 대한 다음블로그 폰트 버그가 있다는 점 참조바랍니다.)

 

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News Releases

Air National Guard to Conduct Evaluation of Guardian^(TM) Anti-Missile System on KC-135

 

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Jan. 17, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) and the Air National Guard have initiated modifications to a KC-135 air refueling aircraft in preparation for the Operational Utility Evaluation of the company's Guardian™ anti-missile system.

 

The Guardian™ system incorporates the company's proven AN/AAQ-24(V) infrared countermeasures defensive aid system in a pod-based configuration. The AN/AAQ-24 is currently installed on over 500 fixed and rotary wing platforms for the U.S. military, foreign heads of state and allied countries.

 

"The Guardian™ system is ideal for protecting legacy aircraft such as the KC-135. The pod is easily transferred from one aircraft to another in about 30 minutes, making IRCM protection a role-fit option, with fewer systems required to protect the fleet," said Carl Smith, vice president of infrared countermeasures for Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division. "The first phase of the evaluation is to determine the suitability of the pod while on the aircraft with respect to its mission."

 

There are currently more than 400 KC-135 aircraft in service as airborne refueling platforms. Modifications to the aircraft to accommodate the Guardian™ system commenced on Nov. 11, 2010 at Forbes Field in Topeka, Kan. Comprehensive ground testing began on Jan. 12, 2011 with follow-on flight testing to begin on Jan. 19, 2011. The Operational Utility Evaluation is scheduled for completion in mid-March of 2011.

 

An advanced laser-based missile protection system, Guardian™ is designed to protect aircraft, crew and passengers from the advanced man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). Guardian™ consists of a multi-band laser pointer/tracker and an ultraviolet missile warning sensor. The system is contained almost entirely in a single pod that mounts to the underside of the fuselage. Guardian™ operates by detecting launched missiles and then directing a non-visible, eye-safe laser to the seeker head of the incoming missile, disrupting its guidance signals.

 

© 2011 Northrop Grumman. All rights reserved.

 

 

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