What is an aircraft flare?
A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by a plane or helicopter to counter an infrared homing (“heat-seeking”) surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. The aim is to make the infrared-guided missile seek out the heat signature from the flare rather than the aircraft’s engines.
What are flares used for in planes?
Flares protect aircraft by forcing infrared threats, such as heat-seeking, surface-to-air or air-to-air missiles, to lock onto their heat signatures rather than the aircraft’s engine. Each aircraft is loaded with various types of flares depending on mission, location and requirements.
What is chaff and flare?
Chaff and flare are countermeasures used by military planes and helicopters to help evade a missile attack by an enemy aircraft. For the non-stealthy fourth-generation assets that make up the bulk of the services’ inventory, these systems are pivotal to that aircraft’s defense.
How many flares does an f22 have?
Each cartridge contains approx 20 flares. Could be less, could be more. Once expended, Ground Crew just swap them on a “turn around”.
Why do jets shoot flares?
Flares and chaff are precautionary measures taken by aircrafts to divert an incoming missile or a radar. A flare basically gives a stronger heat signature so that the heat seeking missile is diverted.
How does flare work?
During flaring, excess gases are combined with steam and/or air, and burnt off in the flare system to produce water vapour and carbon dioxide. The process of burning these excess gases is similar to the burning of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG), which some of us use as fuel for home cooking.
When should I start a flare?
Step 2: When Exactly Are You Supposed To Start Flaring? Now that you’re on speed for the flare, you need to judge the right altitude to start pulling the aircraft’s nose up for the flare and landing. For almost all general aviation aircraft, you should start the flare at about 10 feet above the runway.