A countermeasure is a system (usually for a military application) designed to prevent weapons from acquiring and/or destroying a target. Countermeasures may function by concealing the sensory signature of the target, or deceiving or disrupting the target detection systems of the attacker.

Countermeasures can act against target acquisition systems that depend on electronic, thermal, infrared, optical, or radar technology. Countermeasures are most popularly associated with aircraft defense, with examples including metallic foil chaff to disrupt radar detection, decoy flares to disrupt infrared, and electronic countermeasures to disrupt other targeting and communications systems. However, land and sea-based forces can also use such countermeasures as well as smoke-screens that can disrupt laser ranging, infrared detection, laser weapons, and visual observation.

Countermeasures are a complicating factor in the development anti-ballistic missile defense systems targeting ICBM's. Like aircraft, ICBM's theoretically could evade such systems by deploying decoys and chaff in the midcourse phase of flight. Novel proposed chaff mechanisms describe the creation of a "threat cloud" by deploying of large alluminized PET film balloon which could conceal a warhead among a large number of inert objects having similar radar profiles.

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Army announces critical language incentive-pay program
Wed, 13 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The U.S. Army announced Aug. 13 a financial incentive pilot program for recruiting new college Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets who take courses in critical foreign languages, such as Arabic, Persian-Farsi, and Chinese-Mandarin, as well as commit to entering the regular Army, the Army Reserve, or the Army National Guard as a commissioned officer.
Army Completes Chemical Stockpile Neutralization at Newport Chemical Depot
Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The United States Army Chemical Materials Agency (CMA) completed neutralization Aug. 11 of the chemical weapons stockpile of nerve agent VX at the Newport Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (NECDF), located at Newport Chemical Depot, Ind. This achievement brings the United States one step closer to safely destroying the national stockpile of chemical weapons.
Army to open preparatory school for prospective Soldiers
Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:00:00 -0000
The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command will open the Army Preparatory School Aug. 4 at Fort Jackson, S.C., to give qualifying young men and women an opportunity to earn their General Educational Development (GED) credentials before they begin Basic Combat Training (BCT).

Air Force Link Top Stories

AMC stands up new en route structure wing in Europe
afnews@afnews.af.mil () Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:39:07 -0500
Air Mobility Command officials will stand up a new wing Sept. 4 as part of its en route structure in Europe. The 521st Air Mobility Operations Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, will become the headquarters for the existing 721st Air Mobility Operations Group at Ramstein AB, and the new 521st AMOG at Rota AB, Spain. "This new wing will provide an enhanced level of control for our en route structure in Europe, which includes critical locations for getting people, cargo and patients to and from current war zones," said Col. Kimberly J. Corcoran, who is appointed to be the 521st AMOW commander, and currently serves as the 21st Expeditionary Mobility Task Force vice commander at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J. "The strategic locations of the bases allow the mobility fleet to travel without air refueling. They also provide maintenance and aerial port servicing, as well as give time to aircrews for crew rest." more...
General Schwartz sends out first 'Vector'
afnews@afnews.af.mil (Janie W. Santos) Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:39:00 -0500
In his first CSAF Vector, the Air Force chief of staff directs his attention to the mission of the Air Force for all Airmen, and outlines a plan for tomorrow's Air Force. "The enduring responsibility of the United States Air Force is to provide strategic deterrence for the nation, and fly, fight and win as an integral part of the joint team," Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton A. Schwartz said.  The general said that the Air Force will draw strength from its heritage, find ways to reset and modernize the force that balance emerging threats, and provide joint combatant commanders innovative capabilities.more...
Air Force Chief of Staff defines standard of excellence
afnews@afnews.af.mil (Ed White ) Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:18:03 -0500
Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, came to Air Force Space Command for a series of briefings and then visited with Peterson AFB personnel at an open forum at the base theater. His comments included what he called "vital things," the foremost of which is the need for the Air Force will go "back to basics." "It is being loyal to those things that have inspired Air Force members for years. That is our fundamental values of Integrity, Service and Excellence. Excellence is the byword. more...

National Guard - Top News

MEDRETE Mission Gives Guard Airman A New Perspective
The California Air National Guard’s 163d Medical Group brought much-needed relief to thousands of Guatemalan citizens during its recent Medical Readiness Training Exercise mission, but for one Airman the humanitarian effort meant more than just helping people – it was a walk down memory lane....
National convention brings Guard to Denver
National Guard troops from across the country descended on Denver recently to help support one of the largest events the city had ever seen...
Guard assisting with convention security in Minnesota
During the first day of the Republican National Convention here, members of the Minnesota Army National Guard were called upon to provide crowd control...

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