msjohnso@ensub.Wichita.NCR.COM (Mark Johnson) (02/13/91)
From: msjohnso@ensub.Wichita.NCR.COM (Mark Johnson) I don't know a thing about the ALARM, but the US DOD was working on something conceptually similar not too long ago...it was essentially an antiradiation cruise missile that loitered in circles waiting for somebody to turn on a radar set, then fired its booster and homed in on it at high Mach. The project was codenamed 'Tacit Rainbow' and was written up in AvLeak about two years back. I have no idea what stage of development, if any, it is in at this time. Certainly nothing new in the way of technology would be required to do something like this, although the development wouldn't be trivial, either. All such devices depend on the radar signal's spectral signature, as do the onboard radar warning systems on fighters. In addition, even ground based radars are required to carry an IFF signal to avoid being knocked out by friendly fire. Any antiradiation missile should be equipped with an IFF receiver to disable homing on friendlies. -- Mark Johnson WB9QLR/0 NCR Peripheral Products Division Mark.Johnson@Wichita.NCR.COM 3718 N. Rock Rd. (316) 636-8189 NAR #14025 Wichita, KS 67226