What are the two types of a Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS)?

A Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) is designed to detect incoming missile threats and provide warnings to the aircraft crew. The two principal types of MAWS are categorized based on how they detect these threats: active and passive systems.

Active systems use radar technology to emit signals that bounce off incoming missiles, allowing the system to track their trajectory. This type of system is more involved as it actively engages with the environment to identify threats.

Passive systems, on the other hand, do not emit signals but instead rely on detecting the signature of a missile's launch or its approach, such as infrared or ultraviolet emissions. These systems are stealthier because they do not reveal the aircraft's location by emitting signals.

The correct answer identifies these fundamental approaches: active systems, which involve emission and detection, and passive systems, which rely on interception of existing signals. This distinction is crucial in electronic warfare for assessing and countering potential missile threats.