The missile warning system (MWS) contains how many optical sensor converters?

The missile warning system (MWS) is a critical component for enhancing the operational safety of the C-17 aircraft. This system is designed to detect incoming missiles and provide early warnings to the crew, allowing them to take evasive action or activate countermeasures.

The correct answer indicates that the MWS is equipped with four optical sensor converters. These converters work in tandem to monitor the aircraft's surroundings for the infrared signatures typically associated with heat-seeking missiles. Having multiple sensors allows for broader coverage and redundancy, ensuring that the system can effectively detect threats from multiple angles, which is essential for operational effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios.

In contrast, fewer sensors would limit the MWS's detection capabilities, while more than four could increase complexity and potentially introduce more points of failure without significantly enhancing the system's effectiveness. Therefore, the design choice of four optical sensor converters strikes a balance between capability and reliability, making it an integral part of the C-17’s defensive systems.