AAR-57

Developed by the U.S. Army in 1991, and used by all of U.S. military services as well as a number of foreign countries, the AN/AAR-57(V) Common Missile Warning System detects the thermal signature of potential surface-to-air and air-to-air missile threats the aircraft carrying it.

Again, it is the threat detector, not the entire system. According to an early Army evaluation report, the goal was to "... provide passive missile detection, threat declaration, positive warning of a post-launch missile that is homing on the host platform, countermeasures effectiveness assessment, false alarm suppression, and cues to other on-board systems." The first phase of countermeasures triggered by the CMWS are specifically intended to dazzle or damage infrared missile seeker heads, using an arc lamp and laser. Electronic countermeasures are to be added as available.

The initial emphasis was on protecting helicopters against shoulder-fired MANPADS missiles. As of 2005, it was the U.S. tri-service standard and widely used in NATO.