Defense News ,Germany :- The German military has recently given a big order to Rheinmetall for special flares that protect aircraft. These flares, part of Rheinmetall's Birdie product line, will help keep helicopters, transport planes, and jets safe from infrared-guided missiles. The contract is worth almost EUR 50 million and covers the period from December 2023 to December 2029.
Birdie stands for "Bispectral Infrared Decoy Improved Efficiency." These flares mimic the heat signature of the aircraft engine, fooling incoming missiles. Rheinmetall Waffe & Munition GmbH of Fronau is the company behind marketing these infrared decoys.
The current deal involves two types of Birdie products: IR-Birdie 118 BS and IR-Birdie 218 BS. These are already being used by the German military and go by the names "Decoy, Aircraft, DM189A1, PT" and "Decoy, Aircraft, DM169A1, PT."
The importance of aircraft self-defense has grown due to the current security situation. Decoys, like these flares, play a crucial role in protecting aircraft. They distract infrared-guided missiles with pyrotechnic flares, imitating the heat signature of the aircraft engine. Other techniques, such as chaff to confuse enemy radar and Rheinmetall's fast-acting ROSY smoke screen, are also used for aircraft protection.
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