Missile Evasion and Countermeasures

Know what you’re trying to defeat

Flares can distract infrared seekers; chaff can interfere with radar tracking. Neither works against every missile. Against command-guided weapons, you still need to make the shot difficult or break the attacker’s view.

Different missiles turn, track and resist decoys differently. Don’t expect the same last-second turn to save you every time.

Defending against infrared missiles

Use flares with a turn that takes your aircraft away from them. When you can, come out of afterburner to reduce the heat the missile is following. Flying straight with a hot engine behind the flare cloud can make the decoys less effective.

IRCCM helps some missiles resist flares. Spotting the launch early gives you more room to defend; dumping every flare while flying straight may still get you hit. Watch your speed through the turn so you can keep defending afterward.

Defending against radar-guided missiles

Against pulse-Doppler tracking, notching means flying roughly across the radar’s line of sight. Chaff can help during the maneuver. With an active radar missile, you may need to notch the missile’s seeker rather than the aircraft that launched it.

Terrain or more distance can also help if you have room to use them. Don’t assume every ground SAM uses the same guidance, or that one low altitude makes you safe. While turning against one radar, keep track of the others around you.

Once you’ve avoided the first missile

• Watch the ground before diving behind cover. Leave enough clearance to pull out.
• Look for another launch, a fighter coming from a different direction and any defenses you’re now flying toward.
• Check your fuel, damage and remaining countermeasures. Surviving the missile doesn’t mean you still have enough to finish the attack.
• If the route is no longer safe, choose another target or head home. Don’t turn straight back into the same shot.