Ruag Develops Simulated Testing of Chaff/Flare Systems
The German Air Force Tornado fleet will avoid firing of pyrotechnics when testing its self-protection system.
Chaff/flare dispensing systems can be electronically tested with Ruag’s CAST-easy system. (Photo: Ruag Aviation)
Chaff/flare dispensing systems can be electronically tested with Ruag’s CAST-easy system. (Photo: Ruag Aviation)

Ruag Aviation has sold an innovative ECM (electonic counter measures) testing system to the German Air Force for its fleet of Tornado strike aircraft. The Swiss company’s countermeasure advanced system test equipment ("CAST-easy") relies on electronics rather than pyrotechnics to test the chaff and flares that are ejected from aircraft to defeat attacking missiles.