Vigilant Eagle: ground-based countermeasure system against MANPADS

Jeff Vollin

doi:10.1117/12.673686

9 May 2006 Vigilant Eagle: ground-based countermeasure system against MANPADS

Jeff Vollin

Proceedings Volume 6203, Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security II; 62030F (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.673686
Event: Defense and Security Symposium, 2006, Orlando (Kissimmee), Florida, United States

Abstract

Man-Portable Air Defense Systems, or MANPADS, have arisen as a major threat to commercial and military air traffic. While no MANPADS attacks have yet occurred within the United States, the risk posed by these weapons is undeniable. MANPADS were originally developed by the Soviet Union and the United States for tactical air defense, but since then these weapons have proliferated around the world. Two major approaches to countering these weapons have arisen: aircraft based and ground based. Aircraft-based systems typically use either flares or lasers to either confuse or blind the oncoming missile, thus driving it off target. These systems have been in use for many years on military aircraft and have been proven effective. However, when one considers the commercial air travel industry, the cost of providing a countermeasure system on every plane becomes prohibitive. A ground-based system by contrast protects every aircraft arriving or departing from an airport. By deploying a ground-based system at high-traffic and hub airports, a large percentage of the flying public can be protected affordably. Vigilant Eagle is such a ground based system which uses High Power Microwaves (HPM) to accomplish this mission.

Citation Download Citation

Jeff Vollin "Vigilant Eagle: ground-based countermeasure system against MANPADS", Proc. SPIE 6203, Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security II, 62030F (9 May 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.673686

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