What type of countermeasures does the CMWS primarily use against missile threats?

The correct answer focuses on the use of flares and decoys as primary countermeasures employed by the Countermeasures Working Suite (CMWS) against missile threats. The CMWS is designed to protect aircraft from incoming missiles, particularly heat-seeking ones. Flares are used to create a heat signature that can distract the missile from its original target, effectively leading it away from the aircraft. Decoys further enhance this defensive strategy by mimicking the aircraft's signature, making it difficult for the missile to lock onto the actual target.

By relying on flares and decoys, CMWS can significantly increase the chances of survival for the aircraft in hostile environments. This method of defense is particularly effective because it addresses the specific threat of infrared-guided missiles, which are commonly used in modern warfare scenarios.