Effectiveness of off-board active decoys against anti-shipping missiles

Abstract

Radar guided anti-shipping missiles are the primary threat for most modern Navies. The inherent nature of the monopulse radar employed by most anti- shipping missiles makes it highly resistant to active ECM techniques. Decoys are attractive because they provide a source of radiation that can capture the radar seeker and direct the missile away from the ship. However the time and direction of launch are critical parameters which determine the operational success of the decoy. This thesis evaluates the protection provided by active off-board decoys which are deployed by ships during an engagement against a radar guided anti- shipping missile. The research emphasizes launching active decoys. Many of the operational characteristics of the launching decoy are investigated, including direction of launch, timing of launch and the RF characteristics of the decoy.