OZDIRCM emerges
Australia's investment in Electronic Warfare R&D has kept the country close to the leading edge of EW technology; now a new development by Tenix looks set to redefine that leading edge.
A miniature directed infrared countermeasures (DIRCM) system for aircraft, under development by Tenix Defence Systems in Adelaide, has the potential to drive a generational step in DIRCM technology.
Northrop Grumman's NEMESIS DIRCM self-protection suite which will equip the RAAF's six Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft, and the same company's LAIRCM DIRCM system, to be fitted to the four C-17s on order for the RAAF, cost about $10 million per aircraft.
By contrast, OZDIRCM, the brainchild of the Electronic Systems Division of Tenix Defence at Edinburgh, on the outskirts of Adelaide, has reached the engineering prototype stage for an investment of about $2 million. Due to a number of innovations within the design, the complexity of the new DIRCM is significantly lower than existing technology, which results in a lower per unit cost.
OZDIRCM has been under development for the past two years, funded by the New Air Combat Capability Office in the Capability Development Group of Defence. Negotiations are underway for funding to be continued via the Defence Materiel Organisation's Airborne Self-Protection Project Office.
The engineering prototype has been set to work, and the first test flight, aboard a Learjet, is expected by the middle of next year.
Tenix Defence is now seeking an international partner, whether US or European, to assist in further development and possibly to help in bringing the system to market. The New Air Combat Capability Office is assisting in identifying interested parties.
OZDIRCM consists of a unique, non-retractable, grapefruit-sized turret with its laser generator and associated hardware fitted inside the host aircraft immediately behind the turret.
The system uses the MURLIN (Multi-band Research Laster Infra-red) solid-state laser utilised in DIRCM research carried out jointly by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Tenix Defence. This research formed part of Project Arrangement 10, a long-term program for collaborative research, development and engineering between the Australian Department of Defence and the US Army on next-generation aircraft survivability technologies.
The OZDIRCM turret has been designed to be independent of the laser used, allowing the current MURLIN laser or future technology lasers to be used as the source.
MURLIN generates multiple, simultaneous laser-spectral lines within the infra-red "transmission window" in which an attacking missile's heat-seeking sensors see their target, thus defeating the tracking algorithm and causing the missile to veer out of control.
A conventional DIRCM system includes a controller, a missile approach warning system, a tracking system, a turret, and a laser.
Uniquely, OZDIRCM has integrated many of these functions by using a single optical path both for shining the laser at an approaching missile, and for receiving signal images back from the missile. This saves a significant amount of power, and has permitted the miniaturisation of the turret. The laser feeds into the turret system through an aperture.
The micro-structured fluoride glass optical fibre was developed collaboratively by DSTO with Sydney University and is a world first, allowing the transmission of longer IR wavelengths of light.
The OZDIRCM system includes the EADS AAR-60 missile approach warning system as fitted on Australia's Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters and AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft.
"This is mature technology and there was no point in reinventing this particular wheel", the spokesman commented.
While current Defence interest is thought to be primarily directed at providing anti-missile protection for the RAAF's 12 C-130J transports, OZDIRCM would be equally suitable for helicopters and any wide-bodied aircraft, whether military or civil, while the tiny turret also makes it attractive for fast jets. The only variation for different aircraft types would be in the turret housing, although stealth requirements could be met by development of a retractable turret.
The spokesman disclosed that Tenix had already had discussions with Lockheed Martin about the possibility of fitting OZDIRCM to the Joint Strike Fighter from Block 5 onwards - which has yet to be defined but which is expected to be the first with DIRCM capability - and further talks would take place later this year.
"I think Block 5 is beyond Lockheed Martin's worry point at this time, but they've shown interest in the system and they're very keen to be kept abreast of developments", the spokesman commented.
Other discussions have taken place with European aircraft manufacturers.
The Intellectual Property of OZDIRCM is shared between Tenix Defence and the Commonwealth, necessitating a joint decision should a third party be needed to bring the design to market. The spokesman pointed to Nulka as an example where such an arrangement had been successful.
By Julian Kerr, Sydney