Indra leads the development of the new generation of full digital self-protection systems for aircraft and helicopters, more effective against missile attacks

Indra is advancing in the development of a new generation of self-protection systems for military aircraft and helicopters with a completely digital standard (‘full digital’) that reduces missile attack detection time and enables faster response to neutralize threats.

The company has already completed the design phases and produced the first units, ready for platform integration and aiming to deliver the initial systems this year, ahead of flight testing.

This marks a bold technological leap that places Indra ahead of the rest of the industry in developing such systems, in a context where many companies have limited their efforts to hybrid solutions combining analog and digital technologies.

However, the capabilities offered by the full digital suite are far superior, as they allow simultaneous scanning of the entire radar spectrum, enabling faster threat detection and gaining critical time to respond.

Self-protection systems are essential today for any fighter jet, military transport aircraft, or helicopter operating in conflict zones—whether facing technologically advanced adversaries or asymmetric threats such as MANPADS (low-cost, easy-to-use missile launchers operable by a single person).

Indra’s self-protection system consists of a suite that includes the ALR-400 Full Digital radar warning receiver for detecting radar-guided missiles or defense radars; the InWarner for detecting laser-guided missiles; and Indra’s InShield DIRCM (Directed Infrared Countermeasure) system, which protects aircraft from ground-to-air and air-to-air infrared-guided missile attacks. This fully modular suite is designed to adapt to the specific needs of each armed force.

The solution also integrates the most common expendable countermeasures, such as CFD (Chaff and Flare Dispenser) systems for flares—used to mislead infrared-guided missiles—and chaff, which releases small reflective fibers to confuse radiofrequency-guided missiles.

Indra has equipped fighter jets like the F-18, military transport aircraft such as the A400M and C295, and helicopters like the NH90 and Tiger, and is one of the key companies involved in developing the Eurofighter’s self-protection system. With the evolution of these systems, Indra ensures that all these platforms can continue operating at the highest level in the coming decades, as increasingly complex threats emerge.

The company also leads or participates in several key European R&D projects focused on cutting-edge technologies for aircraft, such as multifunction systems that combine radar, communications, and electronic warfare in a single device (CROWN and SCEPTER), electronic attack capabilities (REACT and REACT II), and next-generation self-protection systems for aircraft and helicopters incorporating AI (CARMENTA and CARMENTA FP).