I don't think it could be a flare or illumination thing because you can see it crosses all of the area the pictures show (which is probably in excess of 10km)
I noticed that there is an option for changing the length of the rope, does this mean we will be able to carry cargo. I haven't found anything realted to it in the settings though...
That is a shame, you would think that such an advanced RWR would be complimented by a missile launch detector... Especially since IR missile are a very big threat to helicopters :(