Self-Protection Sensor Technology for Ukrainian Helicopters

Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT is equipping helicopters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with state-of-the-art detection and self-protection sensor technology. 

With an order value in the double-digit million range, the order comprises 16 AMPS (Airborne Missile Protection System) sensor solutions, with Czech system integrator LOM PRAHA planned as the equipping company.

“With the delivery of AMPS, we are ensuring an increase in the defense capability of the Ukrainian helicopters,” said Tanya Altmann, Division Manager Optronics & Land Solutions and Managing Director of HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH. “By integrating onto this platform for the first time, we are protecting crews from a wide range of threats, especially surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.”

The Airborne Missile Protection System is a flexible, self-contained self-protection system for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Its modular design allows AMPS to be easily configured to specific operational requirements and for different mission profiles. 

Parts of the AMPS sensor solution include the Missile Launch Detection Sensor (MILDS), an Advanced Control and Display Unit (ACDU) and the Active Acknowledgement System (MACS), which determines the range and speed of detected missiles and eliminates false alarms. The existing Counter Measure Dispensing Systems (CMDS) on the helicopters can continue to operate with the current AMPS configuration.

According to HENSOLDT, a high percentage of aircraft losses in recent operational areas were caused by Infrared Surface-to-Air Missiles (IR SAMs). In addition, laser and radar threats are becoming more common in operational areas. To reliably detect these threats, AMPS can be configured with missile, laser and radar warning systems to provide the best possible protection through rapid detection. HENSOLDT already protects more than 2,000 different flying platforms with AMPS.