OVERVIEW: FDS‑3 (Floating Decoy System 3) is a ship‑launched, inflatable, passive RF decoy designed to seduce, distract, or confuse radar‑guided anti‑ship missiles. It deploys an octahedral corner‑reflector that mimics a ship’s radar signature on the sea surface.

DETAILS: FDS‑3, manufactured by Irvin GQ/Airborne Systems, is housed in deck‑mounted launch tubes and mechanically expelled via compressed gas; it self‑inflates on the water. The decoy features a multi‑reflector body that maintains a radar cross‑section larger than the hosting vessel, capable of remaining afloat for up to three hours in sea state 4. It operates fully passively and independently no shipboard power or integration is required supporting soft‑kill defense in various modes: distraction, seduction, confusion, and signature management.

FUNCTION:
It is launched from deck‑mounted inflatable‑decoy tubes.
Once deployed, it self‑inflates and floats freely off the stern.
This produces a false radar target that seduces and distracts incoming radar‑guided missiles away from the ship.

SOURCE:
Irvin GQ/Airborne Systems: https://www.irvingq.com/product/floating-decoy-system-fds/ ; Military Periscope: https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Naval%2Bsoft-kill%2Btechnologies.-a0420781600 ; Nighthawk.NZ - RNZN FDS3 contract: https://nighthawk.nz/index.php/news/defence/1536-airborne-systems-to-supply-anti-missile-decoys-for-royal-new-zealand-navy-anzac-class-frigates ; Owen International - Shipborne RF decoy systems: https://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2014/08/airborne-systems-europe-awarded.html