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ESL Defence Ltd experience Stimulating times

ESL Defence Ltd, a world leader in Electro Optic stimulation, announces the winning of a contract to supply long-range UV stimulators to RAF Spadeadam, the UK EW range.

The UV Mallina System, capable of stimulating AAR-47,-54,-57,-60 and MWS 200 at distances in excess of 3km provides an ideal training tool for pilot and aircrew. It is also often used as an Operational Test and Evaluation stimulator when countries accept aircraft platforms that have a Defensive Aid Suite incorporating a UV Missile Warner.

Pilot Confidence in Aircraft Defensive Aid Suite

With “In theatre” operations becoming more frequent, it is vitally important that pilots have the utmost confidence in the systems that are protecting them, and that they are fully conversant with the indications and alarms they should expect if they were to be attacked by MANPADS threats. UV Mallina is capable of replicating today’s threats and provides the pilot training link.

The Mallina system is fully transportable and operates from a tripod. It can be powered from a Battery pack making it totally autonomous and able to behave like a MANPAD threat moving around the training range with ease. Simply visually sight the aircraft and when in range, “fire the missile”. The cockpit indications are as if under attack from a SAM.

The Laser rangefinder enables the system to accurately determine aircraft range and automatically select and fire the range-optimised profile ensuring a high probability of declaration, whilst at the same time exercising the Laser Warning Receiver if fitted.

The UV Mallina system has been fielded with many NATO countries and is proving to be an invaluable and cost effective training aid.

ESL Defence Ltd announce win of sensitive UK Contract

ESL Defence was recently awarded a contract by AV & Air EW IPT for the upgrade of their AAR-47 Sensor sensitivity test sets which included the Baringa 4C as a calibrated source.

The UK Armed forces have previously experienced difficulties in accurately measuring and monitoring the degradation of the legacy AAR-47 sensors and determining the Photon Irradiance Response (PIR) at any given stage of the sensor lifetime.

Why check for Sensitivity?

It is well known that the sensors on AAR-47 legacy systems suffer from degradation but the difficulty has been to determine at what stage of the sensor lifetime cycle each sensor had reached. When a sensor is purchased as new it is given a typical shelf life of 5 years and the degradation process begins, however there are several factors which can accelerate this process, namely how the sensor is stored or whether the sensor is fitted to a platform.

The degradation of the sensor is a process whereby the PIR or sensitivity of the sensor reduces until such time that the sensor reaches the catastrophic state when it is unable to detect an incoming missile, thus putting the platform at risk.

It is extremely important that Maintenance Divisions are able to identify accurately the PIR value of each sensor and determine when the sensors need changing on the platforms they are designed to protect. Rather than simply taking shelf life as the determining factor, accurate measurement techniques as opposed to shelf life guidelines have the potential to reduce risk to the platform and save money.

Baringa and Data Acquisition System

The system incorporates the widely fielded UV Baringa as a calibrated source and a Data Acquisition Unit that monitors the signals and accurately measures the sensitivity capability (PIR) of each individual sensor whilst still fitted to the aircraft. The unit is self-contained and provides the necessary power requirements for each sensor so that the test can now be carried out without aircraft power available. The unit also has the facility to test the individual sensors whilst in a workshop or stores environment.

Each sensor can now be individually assessed at any stage of its lifetime to determine its suitability for fitting to an aircraft.

Flt Lt Simon Moore of The Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) said “ We had a requirement to revisit and improve the testing methodology for Missile Warning System (MWS) Sensors fitted to a variety of aircraft types used across all 3 Services of the UK Ministry of Defence. As the manufacturer of the in-service Baringa 4C, ESL Defence Ltd was approached to design an all-encompassing testing solution that was repeatable, reliable and accurate; a further requirement was the testing should be a one-technician operation.

Consequently, in January 2004 a contract was placed with ESL Defence Ltd to redesign the Baringa 4C and provide a Data Acquisition Unit. This revised test methodology is expected to significantly improve the testing of MWS and give an accurate indication of sensor degradation, which in turn will improve the reliability of the system and provide the aircrew with the level of protection they require”.

ESL Defence renews DSTO technology licence

Mr. John Burrows, Managing Director of ESL Defence Ltd and Dr. Len Sciacca Head of Electronic Warfare at DSTO Australia signed a technology licensing agreement at the Avalon air show today Thursday 17th March 2005.

John Burrows said “This is a significant milestone for ESL and our continued investment in testing products for the rapidly expanding UV Missile Warner market, both on the Flight line and at long range; the subject technology will underpin the position of ESL as the leading provider of testing products in the crucial aircraft protection sector”.

Dr. Sciacca commented; “ The forerunner for this licence was first granted 10 years ago and its renewal reflects positively on the quality of DSTO technology and the importance of seeing innovative research pulled through into advanced defence products”.

The ESL products, Baringa, MEON and Mallina have been sold worldwide to many NATO countries; are compatible with all in-service UV Missile Warner Systems and have all drawn upon the original work undertaken at DSTO.

For further details contact:

Emma Cogdell
Sales Office Manager
Tel: +44 (0)23 8074 4291
Fax: +44 (0)23 8074 4200
e-mail: emma.cogdell@esldefence.co.uk

ESL Defence Limited, Part of the AAI Corporation Group
Company Registration No. 2642013

16 Compass Point, Ensign Way, Hamble, Southampton, Hampshire, SO31 4RA, UK Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 5110 Fax: +44 (0)23 8074 4200

Email: esl@esldefence.co.uk