BIRD Aerosystems of Israel has delivered and commissioned its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS) for an unnamed African country’s air force.
The firm equipped Mi-17 utility and Mi-24 combat helicopters with the self-protection suite, though it did not disclose which nation received the systems. Angola, Chad, and Uganda are among African operators of both platforms.
Engineered to counter surface-to-air missile and MANPADS attacks, AMPS combines the company’s SPREOS directional infrared countermeasure with the μEYE missile warning sensor to provide comprehensive defense coverage.
The μEYE component detects incoming missiles using optical sensors and alerts crews instantly.
SPREOS then verifies the threat through semi-active radar tracking, measuring trajectory and speed to optimize jamming efficiency.
If confirmed, SPREOS deploys a dual-band laser that disrupts the missile’s guidance system while monitoring the projectile’s flight path to confirm a successful interception.
BIRD stated that the integrated system ensures high accuracy and zero false alarms, enhancing aircraft survivability in combat operations.
