X Guard, fiber optic towed decoy – mechanism, deployment, operation and pitfalls

In so called modern Aerial warfare, spoofing (false signal mimicking actual frequency for radar cross section detection) is commonly used coupled with so called electronic warfare (EW) suites (a set of switches or LCDs connected with gauges, transducers and instruments for mechnical actuation of various fixtures) of craft which are meant to be protected. One such system is so called X Guard. It supersedes its predecessor(s) AN/ALE – 50. It is shown to be deployed and successfully operated for various medium to high altitude (e.g. B-52) supersonic non stealth (e.g. so called 4 – 4.5th generation) crafts. It consists of a 65 Kg, 300 W battery operated transducer which, upon deployment generate a signal from its antenna array mimicking radar cross section frequency of actual craft. Thus, may be easily used to deceive incoming radar guided missile (RGM) (air – air or surface to air), whose navigation depends on detection frequency of craft in question. It is claimed that it is deployed from a fiber optic cable mere 100 meter long on a craft for BVR (beyond visible range (~ 250 Km)) scenario encounters. It is well known that it is deployed on non stealth crafts. Its effectiveness is claimed to be superior to fool incoming projectiles. However, it is unknown that upon deployment and signal generation, how signal (reflected) from actual craft suddenly becomes invisible? Even upon its deployment, actual craft does not become stealth suddenly and remain (and should remain) visible on radar screen unless actually destroyed. This raises questions about its effectiveness and operation in a BVR scenario where mere 100 m is insufficient to make any signal effective. This study discusses these in detail.