Expendable Countermeasures

The Expendable Countermeasures program, managed by the Air Force, focuses on procuring various types of flares and impulse cartridges to enhance aircraft protection against infrared and heat-seeking missile threats. The primary goal is to equip a range of aircraft, including the A-10, F-16, C-17, and F-35, with advanced countermeasure systems that can effectively confuse and evade enemy missile systems. This initiative involves collaboration with multiple agencies such as the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition (SMCA)/Army and Navy PMA-272 to ensure a comprehensive approach to countermeasure procurement.

Key objectives include acquiring specific flare types like the MJU-61 and MJU-62 for multi-spectral defense capabilities. These flares are intended to replace older models such as the M206, providing enhanced protection through improved decoy effectiveness. The program also emphasizes evaluating and potentially integrating these countermeasures across various aircraft platforms to ensure broad applicability and effectiveness in diverse operational scenarios.

Additionally, the program encompasses procuring impulse cartridges like the BBU-35 and BBU-36, essential for deploying flares and chaff from aircraft dispensers. These cartridges play a critical role in ensuring that countermeasures are effectively deployed during missions to protect aircraft from both infrared and radar-guided threats. The Air Force's strategy includes addressing production challenges such as diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages to maintain a steady supply of these critical components.

The Expendable Countermeasures program aims to bolster the defensive capabilities of U.S. military aircraft by equipping them with state-of-the-art countermeasure systems. This effort supports homeland defense missions, domestic emergency responses, and military support to civil authorities by maintaining robust stockpiles within War Reserve Materiel (WRM) Munitions. The program's success relies on continuous evaluation, testing, and adaptation of new technologies to meet evolving threat landscapes.