Thales Land and Joint Systems unveiled its Elix-IR infrared (IR) threat warning system at July’s Farnborough International Airshow.
Primarily intended to act as a warning device for rotary-wing aircraft, it is also being adapted for the protection of vehicles and has been offered to the Australian Defence Force as such.
Thales spokesperson Clive Marrison said the system filled a capability gap that was present in Iraq and Afghanistan, where aircraft, undertaking “low and slow” flight, are at risk from threats ranging from smalls-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) to surface-launched missiles.