Well actually, yes. That cylindrical multi-faceted glass thing ( this is sometimes called a "disco-ball". ) behind the main rotor, and between the engines is an IR jammer. As I understand it, it actually produces a heat signature greater than that of the engines, but projects that heat signature away from the helo's fuselage.
All US combat aircraft have some basic ability to deflect or otherwise defeat anti-aircraft weapons and sysytems, to some degree. Infact, we devote an entire category of specialized aircraft that perform countermeasures of varying types as their main mission purpose. Some of these utilize the most advanced and effective countermeasures of their kind in the world. Of course, I suppose you could include low-observable "stealth" technologies in this category, as well.
Other types of electronic counter-measures include IR seductive flares, radar-seductive chaff ( which is basically multi-length fine-cut pieces of mylar filament. ) and air-launched gliding decoys. ( These are like small Remote Controlled aircraft, that electronically transmit a HUGE radar signal, making the enemy think the decoy is an actual aircraft. )
The next generation countermeasures for combat aircraft will include a system that can detect the exhaust signature of an incoming missile, and then fire a turretted laser at the threat to destroy it's delicate electronics and/or seeker systems, blinding it, and rendering it useless. Elements of such a system were successfully tested during the NATO air-campaign over Kosovo.
Topic: RAH 66 COMANCHE IS OUT (Read 5186 times)