The Helio Cerberus grenade discharger and laser warning system essentially consists of the Avimo LWD 2 series laser warning detector, covered in detail in a previous entry, coupled with a control/display box and the grenade dischargers. Details of the full range of Helio smoke grenade launchers are given in an earlier section.

The system provides detection and warning of laser attack and the means for manual or automatic discharge of grenades to provide a 180° smoke screen between the incoming laser and the vehicle on which the system is mounted.

The system will respond to the following energy sources: doubled Nd:YAG (532 nm), Ruby (694 nm), Gallium Arsenide (850-950 nm).

In addition, the system can differentiate between single pulse lasers (range-finders) and multipulse lasers (target markers/designators).

The control box has two operational functions: to display information about any laser or infra-red energy that is detected and to control the discharge of grenades.

The displays include a four digit display that shows the beanng of any detected energy relative to the vehicle's line of sight, travel or the axis of the gun if the detector head is mounted on the turret. A ring of 24 indicators show the direction of a detected energy source to within ±7.5°.

In addition, there are indicators for single pulse laser (range-finders), multipulse lasers (target markets) and overhead laser attack.

An audible warning is provided which can also be integrated into the vehicle intercom system. The control box also incorporates a self-test routine that is activated each time the system is switched on.

The control of grenade discharge is accomplished either automatically or manually and the controls comprise two discharger selector switches, a mode selector and a firing/test button.

One selector switch controls each individual discharger and the other controls the dischargers in salvos of four, eight or all. The mode selector switch has positions marked for off, test, salvo, single, auto, all and single. With the switch set to off, power to the system is disconnected.

With the switch set to single, salvo or all, the laser detection warnings and indications are still given but the firing of the grenades is manually controlled.

With the switch set to auto, the activation of a detector will cause a salvo of eight grenades to be discharged, giving a total of 180° cover equi-spaced either side of the direction of attack. Within 2 seconds of the grenades being discharged, a 180° windowless smoke screen is formed.

The test facility allows for diagnosis of faults in the control box, the dischargers control cables, the individual dischargers and a safety check of the fuze in each grenade when it is loaded into its discharger. It can also indicate which dischargers have been fired and which are still available.

Two circuit breaker switches are incorporated that disconnect power to the display or control sections of the box should a fault develop in the system.

Development complete. Ready for production.