Cassidian’s solution features a modified version of its military missile defense system AMPS (Airborne Missile Protection System), which detects the UV radiation of approaching missiles and launches flares so as to divert the missile’s seeker head. 

The system only requires minor modifications to the aircraft’s architecture and also allows pyrotechnic flares to be taken along, while the aircraft can preserve its civilian status. This means that AMPS, which previously was reserved to military customers only, will now also be available to all civil aircraft operators, which want to protect their crews and passengers in crisis areas against attacks by MANPADS. 

Generally, the use of civil airports and airspaces by aircraft equipped with military systems is very much restricted, which results in such aircraft operators’ operational flexibility being heavily limited as the civil infrastructure may not be used.