abstract |
A method and associated decoy for offering a phantom target for protecting land, air or water vehicles or the like as a defense against missiles possessing a target seeking head operating in the infrared (IR) or radar (RF) range, or a target seeking head simultaneously or serially operating in both wavelength ranges. An effective mass emitting radiation in the IR range (IR effective mass) based on flares and a mass backscattering RF radiation (RF effective mass) based on dipoles are simultaneously made to take effect in an appropriate position as a phantom target. A ratio of dipole mass to flare mass of approx. 3.4:1 to approx. 6:1 is employed; and flares presenting a descent rate approx. 0.5 to 1.5 m/s higher than that of the dipoles are used. |