Advanced Strategic and Tactical Infrared Expendables (ASTE)
Advanced Strategic and Tactical Infrared Expendables program is a joint Air Force (USAF)/Navy (USN) development effort managed by the Air Force's Electronic Combat SPO (ASC/LN). The contractor is Tracor of San Ramon, CA. The objective of the program is to develop, fabricate, test, and field Advanced Infrared (IR) Expendable
solutions for use against evolving IR threats for a variety of USAF/USN platforms.
Streamlined Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) source selection used affordability as key selection critiera. The result was a
major reduction in the unit production cost. The EMD will
continue as a "paperless" IPT with Tracor utilizing commercial off the shelf (COTS) products for complete electronic connectivity.
Upon completion of its own OPEVAL, the Advanced Strategic Tactical Expendable is one of several expendables which may be dispensed by the AN/ALE-47. Integration of these systems is intended to provide threat system warning, threat missile detection/warning, and the most effective countermeasure response, to increase survivability of the host
aircraft against IR threats.
Sources and Resources
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/aste.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, January 09, 1999 10:27:01 AM