Leonardo Launches MAIR Missile Warning System At Paris Airshow 2019

Leonardo has launched Multiple Aperture Infra-red (MAIR) missile warning system at Paris Airshow 2019.

The new hostile fire indicator system can provide spherical IR-based protection to a range of aircraft platforms, including rotary- and fixed-wing systems, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and potentially commercial aircraft, according to the company.

MAIR is designed to assist in detecting, identifying, tracking, classifying, and declaring targets, and then cue an appropriate counter-measure system from the aircraft, reports Jane’s.

The system utilises five or six IR detector heads, with the five-headed variant providing 360°×270° coverage, and the six-headed variant providing full coverage. According to Leonardo, each sensor head weighs less than 2 kg, and operates with less than 24 W of power. Environmental operating temperatures range from -40°C to 71°C.

Each optical head has a video output that can be used for video presentation to pilots and crew through either helmet displays or cockpit display systems.

Testing of the system took place in 2018, with full-rate production expected from 2020. The background technology leverages the company's experience in infrared search and track (IRST) systems on the Saab Gripen E and Eurofighter Typhoon.