BAE Systems AN/ALE-40
From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine
Contents |
Introduction
The AN/ALE-40 Counter Measure Dispenser System (CMDS), originally developed by Tracor, provides expendable counter measures stores and dispensing for multiple aircraft platforms. The AN/ALE-40 system is a means by which the pilot can release chaff or flare, depending on the threat type, to counter any homing of a missile to the plane. This is a very simple yet effective system. Chaff looks like millions of tiny strands of aluminum foil and each strip is cut to length to match the various wavelengths of the radar. Using chaff to combat radar was used as early as WWII and still proves very effective against nearly all radar threats. Flares, like the MJU-7, are white hot magnesium that are designed to defeat a missile’s infra-red (IR) tracking mechanisms. It is gradually being replaced by the more modern AN/ALE-47 system.
Versions
AN/ALE-40(N)
Dutch (NF-5A/Bs carried the AN/ALE-40(N) dispenser for either chaff or flare.
