BOL - Advanced Countermeasures Dispenser

The BOL is one product Saab Avitronics has been pretty successful with on the US market. The BOL is a countermeasure dispenser, dispensing Chaff (Radar decoys) and IR decoys, dispensed to protect the aircraft from being hit by IR or radar guided missiles. The dispenser and the decoys are designed by Saab Avitronics.The decoys are manufactured by Chemring Countermeasure in UK(chaff) and Alloy Surfaces, Delaware, USA(IR).

BOL on F-15

The BOL dispenser system advantages with reference to other dispenser products are:

* Very good effectiveness regarding decoying incoming missiles

* Ease of integration on aircrafts by installing the dispenser in a missile rail launcher ,which now will get two functions - carry the missile and housing a countermeasure

* High decoy capacity in the dispensers

Saab teamed with BAE -Systems, TX in the mid 90ties for the joint aircraft interface work and production of the dispensers.

Saab Avitronics got it first contract for BOL 305 in 1993 for equipping the USN F-14 D fighter with the BOL. This contract was awarded after a long period of testing the product , in the US, from both effectiveness point of view but also regarding aircraft integration tests. Since than BOL has been integrated on all operational F-14 fighters in the USN.The report Saab has gotten back from the pilots are that they are very much pleased with the product and its performance.

In the late 90ties Saab redesigned the BOL product to fit into the Air Force installation requirement by adapting the dispenser to the LAU - 128 missile rail - BOL515. After a thorough testing on the F-15 platform during a three years program BAE-systems and Saab got a series production order for the Air National Guards F-15 A/B and subsequently also the initial order for the F-15 C/D. These products have now been delivered to the Air force and are operational on the F-15s.

All BOL programs have been characterized by good cooperation between the Service customers, the aircraft integrators and Saab industrial partners which has led to timely deliveries and a product with recognized excellent performance and good quality.