BIRD Aerosystems has completed the delivery and integration of its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) for an African air force, marking another milestone in the company’s global defense export footprint. The Israeli manufacturer confirmed that the system was installed on Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters, both commonly used by several African nations such as Angola, Chad, and Uganda, though it did not specify the customer’s identity.
Developed to safeguard aircraft from surface-to-air missiles and MANPADS, the AMPS includes BIRD’s signature Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System (SPREOS) and μEYE Missile Warning Sensor (MWS). Together, these technologies deliver comprehensive missile detection, confirmation, and countermeasure capabilities for both transport and combat aircraft.
The compact μEYE sensor detects incoming threats using advanced electro-optical scanning, providing early warning to helicopter crews. Upon detection, SPREOS activates its semi-active radar, confirming the threat’s authenticity and calculating critical data such as distance, speed, and trajectory. This enables the system to customize the optimal countermeasure response for each engagement.
Once the threat is verified, SPREOS employs a dual-band laser to jam the missile’s guidance system while continuously tracking its flight to ensure neutralization. The system’s real-time monitoring and low false-alarm rate make it one of the most advanced directional infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) solutions available. According to BIRD Aerosystems, the AMPS guarantees accurate, automatic protection and enhanced survivability for rotary-wing aircraft operating in high-threat zones.
