Corvus chaff launchers

Corvus chaff launcher a Shipborne chaff decoy launching system.

Corvus (UK service designation Outfit ULC) is a lightweight, quick reaction system for the self-defence of surface vessels against surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles.

Chaff dispensing rockets are fired to form a radar decoy screen around the vessel.

The system comprises two multi-barrelled rocket launchers, a launcher control and firing panel and Chaff (radar countermeasure) rockets. Corvus offers distraction and centroid operating modes, with the two differing from one another in the azimuth angle at firing and the range at which chaff is released. The equipment's firing and control panel is ideally located in the host vessel's combat information centre and has a maximum load of 16 chaff rockets provides protection against three missile attacks before reloading.

Physically, Corvus features a cylindrical rotating structure that carries eight launching tubes mounted in two sets of three (one above the other) and crossed at 90° in azimuth. Two further tubes are set above this arrangement and are aligned midway between the other tubes, all at a fixed elevation of 30°. A deck-mounted pedestal supports the rotating structure on its training bearing and houses a self-contained electrical power conversion unit for the control circuits and associated electrical equipment. The training drive consists of a gearbox driven by a reversible motor.