The CARINE Target

Fast Autonomous Infrared Target for Night Shooting with escape maneuver The CARINE target has been designed for training for ground to air missile in a nocturne environment. It offers a threat as realistic as possible in the field of speed, radar response, visual and infrared field. 

In June 1997, joint researches between Aviation Design and the French Army lead to the definition of a high performance target in the infra-red, electromagnetic and speed fields : the basic idea was to use some of the propulsion gases of the jet engine to heat as many as possible of the elements of the target ; the final goal was to obtain an infra-red signature equivalent to the one of a real aircraft or as near as possible.

The first CARINE prototype was built at the beginning of 1998 and its first flight was made in may 1998. It is now entered in production for different country Forces and is produced by Aviation design.

CARINE is fitted with an automatic pilot (electronic computer and gyroscopes for stabilization and guidance systems designed by Aviation Design). 
The flight track is followed by a ground station using a GPS. The speed, altitude, engine data and fuel consumption are also relayed on the ground. CARINE is fitted with a recovery parachute.  CARINE is fully moulded in composite material (carbon fiber / glass fiber / epoxy ).

In face of the important amount of technical novelties and the newness of the basic concept of the CARINE Target,a patent was forwarded to the I.N.P.I. and to the European Patent Office to cover this invention world-wide.

The major assets of this product are as follows : It brings some speed to the low-cost targets but, more important, it gives to the thermal captors and IR cameras, an infra-red signature or image of the target extremely similar to the one given by an aircraft, night or day.

This project has arisen the interest of the commanding officers of the French army and navy.

EVA

The very good CARINE aerodynamic efficiency and its flying qualities have led Aviation Design company to study a new low cost and high performance target : EVA

Jet engine powered, EVA integrates a lot of research in aerodynamic : turbine fitted in the fuselage, laminar airfoil, V tail, .... 
The fully composite structure (Fiberglas and carbon) allows this target to be very light for its size.

The performances are really exceptional and unique likened to classical target currently available. The speed, the climb rate, the realistic manoeuvrability of EVA outclass all the propelled targets.