MILDS AN/AAR-60 to Protect Indian Aircraft

Released on Monday, July 17, 2006

EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services, and the Indian government are poised to strengthen their co-operation in the highly sensitive field of electronic warfare. As reported by the company during Farnborough Airshow, an MoU covering the joint development of a missile warning system for the Indian Air Force, was signed between EADS Defence Electronics and the Indian Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE).

In the field of missile protection, EADS is bringing the technological competence of its Business Unit Defence Electronics into a strategic co-operation with the Indian Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) which capitalizes on longstanding experience in electronic warfare and avionics. The partners will jointly develop a missile warning system based on EADS' proven warning sensor MILDS AN/AAR-60 and integrated into the existing Multi-Sensor Warning System of the Indian armed forces. It is expected to have the system operational by 2007. As part of the agreement, EADS in a first step will deliver 36 sensors for further integration and development. EADS also committed itself to establish step-by-step a local production of MILDS AN/AAR-60 in India.

MILDS AN/AAR-60 is an advanced, passive imaging sensor which detects and tracks the UV emissions of approaching missiles including the most prevalent threat of heat seeking shoulder launched Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADS). The system provides full coverage, a low false alarm rate and maximum warning time to enable the deployment of countermeasures such as Chaff/Flares. With a very low false alarm rate and fast detection combined with automatic initiation of countermeasures, MILDS AN/AAR-60 relieves the pilot's workload in time-critical situations and ensures the safe return of both crew and aircraft. The sensor has been proven in service aboard a huge variety of rotary wing and wide body aircraft; a version for fighter aircraft is under development.