U.S. Navy aircraft face a variety of threats which use sophisticated infrared (IR) and radio-frequency (RF) devices for homing in on targets. These missiles may either be IR or RF guided or use a combination of the two. Current U.S. Navy aircraft use separate expendable for IR and RF threats. Since the quantity of expendable is limited, and the identity of the type of threat unknown, s single IR/RF expendable would provide protection from both types of threat without the concern of identifying the of threat. This will extend the protection envelope since more expendable will be available to protect the aircraft. The cost will also be reduced once one expendable performs two functions. A dual mode expendable must possess equal effectiveness as with each individual mode, be able to fit into the existing constraint volume, and be safe in its operation. Alloy Surfaces (ASC) proposes to use its activated metal (AM) as the IR component and metallized glass chaff as the RF component in this program. ASC has compiled an extensive data base of AM materials and candidate materials for this particular application have already been identified. ASC will mix candidate IR and RF materials and optimize dispensing methods and design of the IR/RF payloads.
