BIRD Aerosystems has delivered and deployed its Advanced Airborne Missile Protection Systems (AMPS) for an African air force, which is using it on its fleet of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters.
The company made the announcement in late October, saying the project encompassed the effective installation, integration, and field testing of AMPS on a fleet of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters. “This comprehensive approach not only meets the critical requirements for enhanced aircraft survivability but also ensures that the fleet achieves full operational readiness against emerging surface-to-air missile threats.”
Central to the AMPS suite is BIRD’s SPREOS DIRCM (Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System), which uses radar and infrared tracking capabilities to detect, verify, and neutralize incoming missile threats. In conjunction with SPREOS, the installation includes the μEYE Missile Warning Sensor (MWS), a compact electro-optical sensor.
“The delivery of our AMPS configuration, featuring the SPREOS and μEYE sensors, illustrates our strengthened partnership with this vital African Air Force,” said BIRD’s Co-CEO and Founder, Ronen Factor. “By controlling the development process, we offer unparalleled flexibility and rapid customization, contributing to enhanced fleet readiness and crew safety.”
BIRD Aerosystems in January this year revealed that an undisclosed African Ministry of Defence had its AMPS for its Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopter fleet in what the Israeli company said was a significant contract.
“Our systems are installed on over 700 aerial platforms globally, delivering unmatched protection in the most dangerous conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Southern Sudan and other current conflicts. The AMPS technology, with its proven track record and cutting-edge capabilities, ensures the highest levels of operational security,” Factor said in January.
In 2022, the company’s AMPS-MV airborne missile protection system was added to a customer’s Mi-17 helicopters operating on behalf of the United Nations in Africa. In late 2020 BIRD Aerosystems revealed that an unidentified African customer had ordered its SPREOS directional infrared countermeasures system for its VIP and military aircraft fleet. That year, the company announced it had delivered its Airborne Missile Protection Systems to a VIP customer in Africa to protect a presidential Boeing 737 aircraft. The AMPS system included an AeroShield POD and Missile Approach Confirmation Sensor.
BIRD Aerosystems says it specialises in airborne missile protection systems and Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) solutions – eight years ago the Angolan Air Force began operating a Cessna Citation jet configured by BIRD for the maritime surveillance role. It was fitted with Leonardo’s SeaSpray active electronically scanned array (AESA) multimode surveillance radar and a Controp electro-optical (EO) sensor in a belly fairing. The aircraft also has an automatic identification system (AIS) receiver and satellite communications systems.
In May 2022 the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) took delivery of the first of two Cessna Citation CJ3 maritime surveillance aircraft as part of its Deep Blue maritime security project, after being fitted with BIRD’s Airborne Surveillance, Intelligence and Observation maritime solution as well as its Mission Management system (MSIS). The ASIO solution includes a search radar and electro-optical/infrared gimbal.
