Defense

Protecting Helicopters From “Simple” Weapons

One very interesting effort is by Rafael. The Israeli company plans to adapt its Trophy active protection system for use on helicopters and transport aircraft.

The Trophy was originally developed to defend tanks and APC’s from rockets and shells. It is already protecting the Merkava- 4 main battle tanks operated by the Israeli defense forces (IDF).

The Trophy creates a hemispheric protected zone around the vehicle where incoming threats are intercepted and defeated. When a threat is detected identified and verified, the system launches the classified interceptor and it deflects and destabilizes the rocket or shell so that it does not hit its target.

While the Israeli Air Force (IAF) helicopters are using EW systems against missiles there is a need to protect them against weapons like RPG rockets. These have downed many helicopters in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zone.