USN reveals concept to defend aircraft against missile attack with interceptors

A US Navy document reveals a new concept to protect large cargo and surveillance aircraft from incoming missiles using small interceptors launched by the targeted aircraft themselves or by unmanned escort aircraft flying next to them. The concept proposes to move military aircraft beyond current self-protection systems, which focus on blinding the guidance systems of incoming missiles with laser- and radio frequency (RF)-based countermeasures or confusing them by dispensing chaff and flares. Instead, the US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is evaluating a concept called Hard Kill Self-Protection Countermeasure System (HKSPCS) for the Lockheed Martin C-130 and a range of military derivatives of commercial aircraft, such as the Boeing 707, 737, 757 and 767 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10, according to a request for information (RFI) published to industry on 3 May.