Importance

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Abstract

A release unit for launching countermeasures from a vehicle. A first module in the form of a central body mounted on the vehicle. The first module includes at least three openings: a first opening facing the vehicle when the first module is mounted on the vehicle, and second and third openings directed obliquely with respect to the first opening in substantially opposite directions from each other. The directions the second and third openings face are separated by 60.degree.-120.degree.. A second module and a third module in the form of release cassettes are received respectively by the second and third openings and removably fixed by with a locking member. A plurality of countermeasures are launched from the release units. Each release cassette includes a plurality of countermeasure openings for receiving the countermeasures. The countermeasure openings in each cassette are aimed substantially in the same direction. A plurality of the countermeasures are launched to delimited spaces from each cassette, creating separate decoys without any movement of the release unit relative to the vehicle on which it is mounted. The countermeasures launched from the second module are launched away from the vehicle in substantially a first direction creating a first decoy and the countermeasures launched from the third module are launched away from the vehicle in substantially a second direction separated from said first direction by 60.degree.-120.degree. creating a second decoy. The first and second decoys are non-overlapping and separated from each other by a distance corresponding to the angle between the cassettes.

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First Claim