Missile warning receiver
A missile warning receiver detects the thermal signature of potential surface-to-air and air-to-air missile threats to tactical aircraft, and is related to theater and strategic electro-optical MASINT systems that detect ballistic and cruise missiles.
Tactical sytems
The technology is considered is a form of infrared countermeasures,[1] The name is somewhat confusing, as the actual threat detector is in the ultraviolet, not infrared light spectrum. See infrared countermeasures for some issues and trends.[2]
Strategic systems
While the term "missile warning receiver" is usually considered a tactical system, strategic warning of ICBM launches goes back to the Defense Support Program (DSP), which were space-based missile-launch-only detectors. These, and their upgrades, became significant theater-level assets in the Gulf War, when they provided warning to troops and MIM-104 Patriot missiles of SS-1 SCUD launches.
The new Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS). [3] As opposed to DSP and its high-altitude launch sensor replacement, SBIRS, STSS actually can track the missiles after launch, and may give cruise missile warning relevant to ships.
References
- ↑ Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Defense, Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures (SIIRCM)/Common Missile Warning System (CMWS, AN/AAR-57) Includes: Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM, AN/ALQ-212), Annual Report FY 2003, pp. 103-105
- ↑ Richard J. Nelson, Integrated Hostile Fire Indication Sensor, Solid State Scientific Corporation
- ↑ Northrop Grumman, Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS)