ASE

Introduction

The Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) suite is comprised of defensive systems to alert and protect the crew against threats. The DCS OH-58D Kiowa Warrior module contains a range of systems designed to alert and protect against incoming radar, infra-red, laser and missile threats.

Flare Dispenser

A single flare dispenser is mounted to the bottom of the aircraft. The dispenser can carry up to 30 flares and can be manually dispensed using a switch on the Pilot’s Collective Grip or controlled automatically by the Common Missile Warning System.

AN/APR-39 Radar Detection Set

The Radar Detection Set (RDS) consists of four sensors mounted on the exterior of the aircraft, an electronic control unit and the Radar Detector Indicator (RDI). The RDI displays the positions and severity of radar threats, as well as alerting the crew via the use of synthesized voice messages. The RDI also displays and alerts to laser threats from the Laser Detection Set. The RDI volume and BIT test can be controlled via the MFD ASE Setup page.

Missile Alert lamps (not in use)
Brightness control
Night/Day brightness control switch

Radar Detector Indicator Symbology

The following list displays the Radar Indicator symbology and the associated name as spoken by the annunciator while in Mode 1.

Radar Indicator symbology
Symbol	Threat Type	Annunciator Name
Tick	Unknown Emitter (searching)	“RADAR SEARCHING”
U	Unknown Emitter (tracking or acquisition)	“UNKNOWN”
2	SA-2	“SA SA 2”
3	SA-3	“SA SA 3”
5	SA-5	“SA SA 5”
6	SA-6	“SA SA 6”
8	SA-8	“SA SA 8”
10	SA-10	“SA SA 10”
11	SA-11	“SA SA 11”
FW	Fixed Wing aircraft	“FIXED WING”
RW	Rotary Wing aircraft	“HELICOPTER”
Gun	Air Defence Artillery	“GUN GUN”
ZU	ZU-23-4 Shilka	“ZU ZU 23”
Star/Asterisk	Laser Threat	“LASER”

Radar Detector Annunciator Messages

The AN/APR-39 contains a synthetic speech annunciator that relays information to the crew. The AN/APR-39 has two modes of operation. In Mode 1, full length messages are spoken. In Mode 2, terse messages are used. The mode of operation can be selected from the ASE Page on the MFD. Message Description

“APR-39 POWER UP”: Broadcast on receiving power. APR-39 will initiate start up test sequence.
“SELF TEST”: Beginning of the self-test.
“SET VOLUME”: Announced during the start-up self-test. APR-39 will count from one to twelve (Mode 1) or from five to one (Mode 2) to allow volume adjustment and annunciator tests
“APR-39 OPERATIONAL”: Self-test has completed successfully. Accompanied by a visual indicator of the radar and laser receiver status on the Radar Indicator.
“APR-39 FAILURE”: The self-test has failed. The Radar Indicator will display the status of the receivers.
“RADAR SEARCHING”: A radar has been detected in search mode. The Radar Indicator will display a tick in the direction of the threat.
“SA SA 6 TWELVE O’CLOCK TRACKING”: A radar threat is tracking the aircraft. The annunciator will speak the threat name and direction. The Radar Indicator will display the threat icon.
“SA SA 6 TWELVE O’CLOCK LAUNCH”: A radar threat has launched. The annunciator will speak the threat name and direction. The Radar Indicator will display a flashing threat icon.
“ALL LOCKS BROKEN”: Annunciated when all tracking radars have disappeared from the threat picture.
“THREAT DETECTION DEGRADED”: When more than 7 threats are simultaneously tracked, the detection effectiveness of the RWR is degraded. While degraded, the RWR will only track the 7 highest priority threats.
“THREAT DETECTION RESTORED”: Threat detection is no longer in degraded mode of operation.

AN/AVR-2 Laser Detection Set

The Laser Detection Set (LDS) consists of four detectors placed on the sides of the aircraft. The LDS is connected to the Radar Detector Set for power and display functions.

AN/ALQ-144 Infra-red Missile Countermeasures Device

The Infra-red Missile Countermeasures Device (IRCM) is a passive deflector system for countering infra-red guided threats. It has no method to alert the crew to threats.

IR Jammer Circuit Breaker Switch

The IR Jammer Circuit Breaker Switch is positioned to the right of the Overhead Console Panel above the Pilot’s head. Placing the switch in the ON position provides power to the IRCM.

AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System

The Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) consists of five detectors placed around the airframe, an electronic control unit, a Control Indicator (CI) and CMWS Control Panel (CMWS CP). The CMWS detects incoming missile threats and provides visual and audio alerts, and can automatically respond to threats by dispensing flares.

CMWS Circuit Breaker Switch

The CMWS Circuit Breaker Switch is positioned to the right of the Overhead Console Panel above the Pilot’s head. Placing the switch in the ON position provides power to the CMWS.

CMWS Control Panel

The CMWS Control Panel is located at the rear left of the Center Console and contains controls for the CMWS.

ARM/SAFE Switch. Placing the switch into SAFE prevents dispensing of countermeasures
AUTO/BYPASS Switch. Placing the switch into AUTO allows the CMWS to automatically dispense countermeasures on detection of a threat. Placing the switch into BYPASS prevents automatic dispensing of countermeasures. When the CMWS is placed into BYPASS mode, the CMWS Control Indicator will display BYPASS

CMWS Control Indicator

The CMWS Control Indicator is a panel located on the center of the dashboard. It contains a status and threat display and various controls.

OFF/ON/TEST Knob. Placing to ON powers on the CMWS and initiates the start-up self-tests. Momentarily placing to TEST initiates BIT tests
AUDIO Dial. Controls annunciator volume
LAMP Dial. Controls display brightness
STATUS Display. Displays various CMWS status messages
THREAT Display. Threat quadrants will flash when a threat is detected from the relevant receiver
DISPSENSING Indicator. Illuminates when the CMWS is actively dispensing countermeasures
READY Indicator. Illuminates when the CMWS is ready to dispense countermeasures