EuroDASS Launches “Praetorian Evolution” Defensive Aids Sub System

EuroDASS consortium (Leonardo, Elettronica, Indra and Hensoldt), which provides the Praetorian Defensive Aids Sub System (DASS) for the Eurofighter Typhoon, has launched its concept for the future of DASS, called “Praetorian Evolution.”

The launch took place at the EuroDASS Future Capability user conference, which was attended by senior military and industry figures from the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain, the company said in a statement Monday.

A defensive aids system (DAS) is a military aircraft system which defends it from attack by surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles and guided anti-aircraft artillery.  A DAS typically comprises chaff, flares, and electronic countermeasures combined with radar warning receivers to detect threats.

The existing Praetorian DASS equips the Typhoon with protection from threats including Infra-Red (IR or heat-seeking) and radar-guided missiles. Integrated sensors and jamming equipment also provide situational awareness and a digital stealth capability, achieved through advanced electronic deception techniques. The system has protected crews in their operations in Libya and Syria.

Rapidly evolving nature of air and surface threats such as Integrated Air Defence Systems (IADS) lead to the development of Praetorian Evolution. It provides advanced new capabilities including multi-platform Electronic Warfare and combat ISR functions such as high-precision targeting and advanced combat ID.

The launch follows the announcement earlier this year of the “Praetorian Long Term Evolution (LTE)” study.