"Flying fortress" Boeing 737 with shocking performance

During the exercise, a Polish Air Force Boeing 737 BBJ2 suddenly launched infrared decoys, a feature usually associated with fighter aircraft.

Rare footage of a Polish Air Force Boeing 737 BBJ2 launching infrared decoys during a training flight has left a strong impression on military observers. The event took place on August 28, ahead of the Radom Air Show in east-central Poland.

The photos, published by photographer Bartek Bera, quickly attracted attention, not only because of the beauty of the “fireworks in the sky” but also because of the hidden meaning behind this scene. The fact that an aircraft designed for civilian purposes launched decoys like a fighter jet suggests a lot about the level of protection given to vehicles carrying high-ranking leaders.

The Boeing 737 in this event is a BBJ2 (Boeing Business Jet 2) aircraft with registration number 0112, which joined the fleet in 2021 as part of the plan to modernize the military air transport force, replacing the Tupolev Tu-154M and Yakovlev Yak-40 lines of Soviet origin.

While flying alongside the photo plane, the 737 began firing flares—a basic infrared countermeasure to distract heat-seeking missiles. While this is common on fighter jets and military transport aircraft, it is extremely rare on a large VIP aircraft.

According to public sources, Polish Air Force 737s are delivered with built-in countermeasure delivery systems. Infrared decoys can be used in a variety of configurations, from simple fake heat sources to more complex ones that mimic the infrared signature of an aircraft to fool sophisticated seekers.

Notably, at least one of these aircraft is also equipped with a Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) system. The device, housed in a boat-shaped protective pod under the rear fuselage, uses a high-powered laser to blind or jam the seeker of modern heat-seeking missiles. The system is believed to be a J-MUSIC variant developed by the Israeli company Elbit Systems.

Supporting the DIRCM is the Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS), which has multiple sensors located around the fuselage. When an incoming missile is detected, MAWS can trigger a manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic defensive response, deploy flares, or engage lasers.

In addition to electronic protection measures, the Polish Boeing 737 BBJ2 is also equipped with a military-grade communications and navigation system. This includes secure data links, SATCOM satellite communications, UHF/VHF/HF radios, TACAN navigation, IFF Mod 5 Identification Friend or Foe system, and GPS with SAASM anti-spoofing module.

The cockpit is equipped with a heads-up display (HUD) and an enhanced flight visibility system (EFVS), which helps pilots maintain visibility in adverse conditions. In addition, the aircraft also has specialized medical equipment for medical evacuation when needed.

To meet the role of VIP transport, the 737 interior was designed and installed by Sabena Technics (France). The configuration includes a four-seat cabin, a private VIP cabin with two seats, 12 business class seats and 48 economy class seats, along with a rest area for the crew. This ensures flexibility between government transport and diplomatic missions.

Equipping VIP aircraft with self-defense systems stems from past security lessons. Lessons from the Tu-154M tragedy in 2010 prompted Poland to restructure its fleet; now VIP aircraft are not only more modern but also have multi-layered defense systems to increase security.

The image of a Boeing 737 BBJ2 launching a decoy at Radom reflects a global trend that shows that presidential aircraft are increasingly integrating military self-defense technology, as the line between fighter aircraft and the threat of mobile anti-aircraft missiles is gradually blurring.

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