LIDACS ECM Suite

LIDACS
Inyurstan UH-60YS2 fires 2F20 flares
Type	Multimode Counter-Measures Suite
Place of origin	Inyursta
Service history
Used by	Inyursta
Production history
Designer	Navayelle Systems

The LIDACS (INSERT ACRONYM HERE) Counter-measures suite is a multimode system of passive electronic counter-measures used on aircraft.

LIDACS functions as a "calculator", taking data from existing warning-based avionics and providing the pilot (or copilot/WSO) with a likely estimate of missile guidance. Aspects such as missile trajectory, RWR returns, and response to previously employed countermeasures; for example an extremely simplified calculation:

[Parameter: Active Chase = 1] + [Parameter: Radar = 0] + [Parameter: Laser Targeting = 0] = Conclusion: IR Guided Missile

Most models also automatically deploy flares, chafe or decoys if a missile enters within a critical distance of the aircraft.

Counter-Infrared

Flares

• 2F20: A universal pack of medium-sized high-heat magnesium-based flares.
  
  • 2F25: A universal pack of medium-sized, high-heat magnesium-based flares with parachutes attached for slower descent
    
• 3F30: A cocktail of both medium-sized and large-sized
  

Alkyl Aluminum-based pyrophoric flare

• 9F15: The current first-pick for low-flying attack aircraft and CAS missions, the 9F15 includes a "cocktail" of both high-heat MTV-based flares,(with and without parachutes), AA-based pyrophoric flares, and PP/HO spectrally balanced flares (with and without parachutes). The 9F15 can also semi-vertically (up to 65^o) eject flares rearward.
  
  • 9F15ER:: A 9F15 module modified for delayed ejection where the flares are ejected at a slower pace rather than all at once to increase time in the air & distance traveled while shrouded by flares.

9F30: A similar pack to the 9F15 but adapted for higher-altitude missions. Includes a "cocktail" of both high-heat MTV-based flares,(with and without parachutes), AA-based pyrophoric flares, and a mix of both instant-ignition and delayed ignition PP/HO spectrally balanced flares (with and without parachutes). Because the AA-based pyrophoric flares require additional oxygen, they are physically larger and thus are in less quantity than the 9F15 despite constituting an equal proportion of the dispenser.

• • 9F30ER: Delayed ejection modification of 9F30.

LIDACS-II

Missile Launch Detector (MLD) Nodes from the AC-88

Due to the improved state of built-in RWR antennae found in the AC-88E Taipan, the LIDACS-II offers both improved ATD2 and better near-360^o coverage of the aircraft. Threat detection is improved to relative radar bandwith (i.e. low-frequency vs high-frequency vs VHF/UHF), which helps discriminate between likely sources of active radar missiles versus passive radar missiles.

IRST/DAS nodes allow the system to "counter-predict" the trajectory of an oncoming missile, which alert the pilot to the likelihood of tail-chase versus proportional-pursuit missiles and effect which flare nodes are activated in priority.

LIDACS-III

The LIDACS-III is currently the most advanced system in the counter-measures suite.

A major feature of the LIDACS-III is its ability to sync and share data with the Sevât-M Counter-Emissions System. By offloading radar frequency discrimination to a separate computing system, it allows LIDACS-III to continue diverting processing power towards providing full spectrum awareness. The information provided by the Sevât-M is then back-loaded into threat identification by the LIDACS system, and then either the pilot is alerted or proper counter-measures are deployed. Likewise, this also upgrades emissions sensitivity & identification to - with calibration and training - decipher between different radar bandwiths. Furthermore, identification of an approximate "emissions profile" can be used to better employ DRFM Jamming.

Both AC/A-20 Crotalea and AC/A-92 Night Adder aircraft employ active infrared counter-measures. LIDACS-III detection and identification of IR-guided missiles and their relative flight trajectories (tail-chase vs proportional pursuit) allows these systems to better misdirect the warhead sensors.

LIDACS-III also leads its predecessors in "counter-offensive capabilities", boasting the fastest sync time between launch detection and targeting software, allowing the pilot to quickly task ordinance to the source of the threat. This process is aided by the fighter's radar information and IRST/EOST being used in the LIDACS-III data analysis.

LIDACS-IIIv2

A proposed improvement module to deal with off-boresight air-to-air missiles. (???)

Controversy

Incorporation Estavez-Kilo (IEK) was the target of a misinformation lawsuit by Navayelle Systems after claiming that the Amérifighter EF-20 acted as a "miniature ELINT" aircraft to foreign potential buyers. Navayelle, who designed the LIDACS & Sevat-M systems, clarified that the abilities of the EF-20 are purely defensive in nature and not for intelligence gathering. IEK and Navayelle likely settled out-of-court, but what is publicly known is that all branding of the EF-20 (AC/A-20 in Inyurstan service) as a "miniature ELINT" was dropped.

Host Platforms

Current:

• AC/A-92 Night Adder
• Amérifighter EF-20
• AC/A-85 Cantíl

Under Testing:

• UH-60
• Ki-44 Gekko