Active chaff

An active chaff to be released by an aircraft to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection and a missile, comprising:

• a light emitting diode configured to generate light to assist an aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection or a missile;
• a signal spreading device configured to spread the generated light;
• a microprocessor configured to control the light emitting diode and the signal spreading device;
• a power source configured to power the light emitting diode and the microprocessor;
• and
• a substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope and wherein the substantially high-drag aerodynamic envelope allows the active chaff to fall in air with high-drag under a force of gravity, prolonging a time the active chaff remains in the air, without the active chaff being self-propelled to fly, wherein the active chaff has a longest dimension in a first range of 4 to 25 millimeters, and a weight in a second range of 25 to 100 milligrams.

A method of an aircraft evading at least one of radar detection or a missile comprising:

• releasing an active chaff, comprising a longest dimension in a range of 4 to 25 millimeters and a weight in a range of 25 to 100 milligrams, into air during flight of an aircraft, the released active chaff falling through the air solely under the force of gravity without the released active chaff being self-propelled to fly;
• generating light from a light emitting diode to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection or a missile;
• spreading the light using a signal spreading device;
• controlling the light emitting diode and the signal spreading device using a microprocessor;
• and
• powering the light emitting diode and the microprocessor using a power source.

A method of an aircraft evading at least one of radar detection or a missile comprising:

• releasing an active chaff into air during flight of an aircraft, the released active chaff falling through the air solely under the force of gravity without the released active chaff being self-propelled to fly;
• generating visual light or ultraviolet light from a light emitting diode to assist the aircraft in evading at least one of radar detection or a missile;
• spreading the light using a signal spreading device;
• controlling the light emitting diode and the signal spreading device using a microprocessor;
• and
• powering the light emitting diode and the microprocessor using a power source.