Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

Having recently won a contract to equip Belgian Air Force F-16 fighters with its AN/AAR-60 (V)2 missile launch detection system (MILDS), German sensor company Hensoldt is now protecting the majority of the F-16s operated by European air forces. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway previously adopted the system.

 


Hensoldt’s product is a passive imaging sensor that detects the UV radiation signature of approaching missiles. Several apertures linked to a countermeasure signal processor provide full spherical coverage and rapid reaction. The system can be installed in either pylons, pods, or in the fuselage. Hensoldt says that MILDS considerably enhances protection against shoulder-fired infrared-guided missiles, which cannot easily be detected by current warning systems.

 


An earlier version of the AN/AAR-60 is the standard missile-warning device on many helicopters and transport aircraft, including Tiger, NH90, CH-53, CH-47, and C-130.

Hensoldt Adds Customer for Missile Launch Detection System

The Germany company provides the system for a number of air forces in Europe.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

2018 Farnborough Airshow

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN