Lets start with the package itself - whatever SPECTRA was touted as was based on its introduction as revolutionary (which it was) in the 90’s.
“
electromagnetic, laser and infrared domains, employing smart data fusion from multi-spectral sensors to provide identification, location, jamming and decoying against a wide range of threats.
SPECTRA is built on a system of receivers and countermeasures. RF (radio frequency) detectors employ sophisticated techniques such as interferometry for high-precision direction-of-arrival and passive ranging, and digital frequency memory for signal coherence. The system also employs accurate laser warning detectors with direction-finding capability, and a passive infrared missile warning system. Data from all three sensor suites are fused and processed by a central computer, which prioritises and activates the relevant countermeasures, based upon comparison between the received signals and an onboard threat library.”
Now - compare that same description to AIDEWS which is on the block 52 internally and as a pod for the MLUs.
“The ALQ-211 family of systems detects, denies, disrupts, degrades and evades lethal threats and provides multi-spectral (radio frequency, infrared and laser) situational awareness. When the aircrew encounters a threat emission, the ALQ-211 establishes the threat range from the mission aircraft. If an aircraft is in lethal range of the threat, the ALQ-211 initiates an integrated instantaneous response, breaking missile lock through RF countermeasures, and cues the use of chaff and flares. As the aircraft’s survivability suite controller, the ALQ-211 coordinates the response for laser and infrared threats, providing a truly integrated approach to aircraft self-protection.”
How much of this sounds the same? The threat library is updated via the EW on the block-52s and passive on the pods.
The AIDEWS is the more current system in terms of architecture and design although SPECTRA has had its own updates for the F4 standard for India.
Now the system on the block-3 does exactly what SPECTRA does but may have 2-3 EW recievers to the SPECTRAs 6-8.
The AIDEWS threat library is updated also based upon what the US DoD releases to Pakistan that may include whatever basic(not complete) info they have on the SPECTRA.
So, if the PAF has experience with a system that works exactly like SPECTRA and then the Chinese spent 2 months sucking up all the electronic emissions coming off the Rafale’s - there definitely is some base information to go off into adding to the PL-15 to tell it when it may ascertain the Rafale trying to spoof it and it trying to eliminate those spoofs from its sensor feed in going after it.
That doesn’t mean the PAF(or PLAAF) have solved the Rafale and it still remains the dominant weapons system and package in the subcontinent for a good time - but it does mean that the Rafale isn’t going to have a cake walk everywhere it goes.
