Ground-based laser/optical countermeasure - anti-MANPADS

A ground based laser/optical countermeasure (GBL/OCM) system is proposed to protect commercial aircraft against man portable air defense systems, or MANPADS. The ground based approach is presented as a cost effective countermeasure system, one that enables implementation based on the airport threat level, and one that relieves individual aircraft of the burden required to support a complex airborne countermeasure system. This ground based countermeasure system envisions adapting the existing optical countermeasure technology to defend aircraft while they are in the MANPADS threat zone around an airport. Successful implementation of this ground based optical countermeasure will require the solution of a challenging, complex systems engineering problem that includes elements of surveillance, detection, and countermeasure application. This paper is presented to raise this opportunity and to challenge the systems engineering community to engage into the technical dialog required to address it adequately.