News: During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is believed to have successfully deployed the AI-enabled X-Guard Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) system, developed by Israel’s Rafael.
About X-Guard Fibre-Optic Towed Decoy (FOTD) System
- It is a state-of-the-art electronic warfare solution to provide fighter aircraft with protection against advanced radar-guided missile threats.
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- Developed by: Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as part of their electronic warfare (EW) suite.
- Features
- It is lightweight (30 kg), retractable, and reusable.
- It can be deployed, either when the aircraft approaches a threatened area or upon detection of an imminent threat, to counter radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles during operational missions.
- Working: It mimics the fighter aircraft’s (most optimally in Rafale) Radar Cross-Section (RCS), doppler velocity, and spectral signature across multiple radar bands.
- It can also replicate the fighter aircraft’s onboard electronic countermeasures.
- It creates a convincing illusion for both human operators and tracking systems.
- Its 360-degree jamming signal capability integrates seamlessly with the Rafale’s SPECTRA (Self-Protection Equipment Countering Threats to Rafale Aircraft) EW suite.
- While SPECTRA manages threat detection, blocking, and onboard defensive measures, the X-Guard adds a trailing expendable layer, jointly forming a multi-tiered defensive shield.
- Benefits
- Increases aircraft survivability and mission success probability
- Provides full sphere defense coverage
- Fast deployment, low drag and lightweight; minimal limitation on aircraft maneuverability
- Reusable; reeled-in after mission completion
- Cost-effective; low Life Cycle Cost (LCC)
- High reliability and safety operation during all flight phases; simple operation by pilot
Comparable systems
- Leonardo UL’s BriteCloud: It is being deployed on Eurofighter Typhoons, Sweden’s Gripen-Es, and certain F-16 variants.
- AN/ALE-50/55 series from Raytheon/BAE Systems: It is being used on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
