Embodiments of the present invention relate to a chaff electronic countermeasure device for protecting mobile platforms against radio frequency threats. A device comprises an antenna that is in communication with a substrate. An integrated circuit is in electrical communication with the antenna. The device is configured to absorb from a source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. In response to absorbing the first radio frequency, the device reradiates at least a portion of a second radio frequency having a second amplitude toward the radar source, which results in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source. The second amplitude is higher than the first amplitude.

Methods, devices, and systems may protect a target from undesirable electromagnetic radiation by detecting electromagnetic radiation (including coherent radiation such as laser beams) aimed at a target from a source; calculating a first release position to disrupt the electromagnetic radiation thereby protecting the target; launching a projectile that may include a disruptive medium or a disruptive-medium precursor; directing the projectile to the first release position; and releasing the disruptive medium from the projectile at the first release position, such that the releasing of the disruptive medium forms a cloud of the disruptive medium.

A dispenser for storing and launching countermeasures, where the dispenser is adapted for storing the countermeasures in a magazine, where the dispenser is provided with at least one launch opening and where the dispenser is adapted to be mounted on an aircraft, where the dispenser includes a body, a bracket and a magazine housing, where the bracket is rotatable with respect to the body and where magazine housing is rotatable with respect to the bracket, where the magazine housing includes a storage space adapted to hold the magazine, and where the launch opening is arranged in the magazine housing. The invention also includes a method for rotating the magazine and launching a countermeasure. The advantage of the invention is that a countermeasure can be directed in a desired angle before it is launched.

A dispenser for storing and launching countermeasures, where the dispenser is adapted for storing the countermeasures in a magazine, where the dispenser is provided with at least one launch opening and where the dispenser is adapted to be mounted on an aircraft, where the dispenser includes a body, a bracket and a magazine housing, where the bracket is rotatable with respect to the body and where magazine housing is rotatable with respect to the bracket, where the magazine housing includes a storage space adapted to hold the magazine, and where the launch opening is arranged in the magazine housing. The invention also includes a method for rotating the magazine and launching a countermeasure. The advantage of the invention is that a countermeasure can be directed in a desired angle before it is launched.

A countermeasure dispenser system has a dispenser with a fire pin and a smart expendable housed in the dispenser awaiting to be fired upon a fire command. The smart expendable has features that need power and communication signals from the dispenser. The communication signals and power sent from the dispenser to the smart expendable are sent through an interface that is different than the fire pin in the dispenser. The interface may be a dedicated wired interface or the interface may be a wireless interface. If wireless, the wireless interface may use near field communications, RF signaling, or near field magnetic induction.

A countermeasure dispenser system has a dispenser with a fire pin and a smart expendable housed in the dispenser awaiting to be fired upon a fire command. The smart expendable has features that need power and communication signals from the dispenser. The communication signals and power sent from the dispenser to the smart expendable are sent through an interface that is different than the fire pin in the dispenser. The interface may be a dedicated wired interface or the interface may be a wireless interface. If wireless, the wireless interface may use near field communications, RF signaling, or near field magnetic induction.

Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector, and attitude control thrusters to make adjustments to the attitude of the eject vehicle.

A chaff electronic countermeasure device that includes an antenna element positioned on a substrate and in electrical communication with an integrated circuit. The conductive antenna element includes a conductive composition of a conductive polymer and graphene sheets. The device absorbs from a radar source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. In response to absorbing the first radio frequency, the device reradiates at least a portion of a second radio frequency having a second amplitude toward the radar source, which results in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source. The second amplitude is higher than the first amplitude. The device is configured to be dispersed from a mobile platform. The device is configured to reradiate at least a second radio frequency toward the radar source, thereby resulting in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source

A chaff electronic countermeasure device that includes an antenna element positioned on a substrate and in electrical communication with an integrated circuit. The conductive antenna element includes a conductive composition of a conductive polymer and graphene sheets. The device absorbs from a radar source a first radio frequency having a first amplitude. In response to absorbing the first radio frequency, the device reradiates at least a portion of a second radio frequency having a second amplitude toward the radar source, which results in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source. The second amplitude is higher than the first amplitude. The device is configured to be dispersed from a mobile platform. The device is configured to reradiate at least a second radio frequency toward the radar source, thereby resulting in an increased radar cross section of the device as perceived by the radar source

Embodiments include active protection systems and methods for an aerial platform. An onboard system includes radar modules, detects aerial vehicles within a threat range of the aerial platform, and determines if any of the aerial vehicles are an aerial threat. The onboard system also determines an intercept vector to the aerial threat, communicates the intercept vector to an eject vehicle, and causes the eject vehicle to be ejected from the aerial platform to intercept the aerial threat. The eject vehicle includes alignment thrusters to rotate a longitudinal axis of the eject vehicle to substantially align with the intercept vector, a rocket motor to accelerate the eject vehicle along an intercept vector, divert thrusters to divert the eject vehicle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the intercept vector, and attitude control thrusters to make adjustments to the attitude of the eject vehicle.