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Aviation History
1980
1980 - 2056.PDF
FLIGHT Internationa/, 2 August 1980 433 seeker, but in the Mod I variant a new head was fitted. Standard ARM is also used in the ship-to-ship role by the US Navy (see Section 5). Operators US Navy (A-6B/E), US Air Force (F-105G—one or two missiles each; Wild Weasel F-4Gs). Texas Instruments Faveway A family of low-cost modular laser-guided bombs first used in Vietnam in 1967. New ver sions of the GBU-10 (900kg), GBU-12 (225kg) and GBU-16 (450kg) are in pro duction as the Paveway II family; they incorporate an improved-performance Texas Instruments laser seeker which is also easier to maintain and cheaper to build. All use the same seeker and guidance unit, and the flip-out aerofoil surfaces are matched to the size, weight and shape of different warheads. Ports mouth Aviation is modifying the Mk 13/18 1,0001b bomb for use by the Royal Air Force's Buccaneers, Jaguars and Harriers; the former will carry Pave Spike designator pods, while the last two types will work in conjunction with ground-based illuminators. Operators US Air Force, US Navy, Islamic Iranian Air Force, Turkish Air Force, Hellenic Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force. GBU-15 Two basic variants of GBU-15 are being developed; the Rockwell cruci form-wing version, a stand-off weapon for use against point targets such as surface-to-air missile sites; and the Hughes planar-wing version, also known as MGGB-II, intended for high-altitude launching against area-defence systems and high-value targets. The television-guided Cruciform Wing Weapon (CWW) is ready for produc tion. Hughes is due to deliver imaging infra-red (IIR) seekers this summer for integration with the CWW, and the Joint Service Weapon Link will also be incorporated. The Planar Wing Weapon (PWW), which can also use TV or IIR guidance, has been delayed as a result of technical problems, failures dui ing testing and a shortage of money. Hughes AGM-65 Maverick During com bat in the Middle East and Vietnam, 99 Maverick rounds have been fired in anger, scoring 85 direct hits. According to the USAF, the CEP on trials has been less than 4ft. Production of AGM-65A (basic version) and AGM-65B (scene- magnification variant) ended in April 1978 and further versions are being developed for the 1980s. AGM-65D This Maverick development uses the same basic missile as its pre decessors, with an imaging infra-red seeker replacing the previous TV/laser heads. Commonality with other weapons is emphasised, the Hughes IIR homing head is also planned for the GBU-15 and Walleye glide bombs. A centroid tracker has been developed to replace the original edge-lock unit, which tended to shift to an adjacent target during an attack. Flight trials have shown that AGM- 65D, planned to attack close-suppoi t or intei diction targets obscured by dark ness, smoke or haze, can acquire and lock on to targets at up to twice the range possible with the TV-guided variants in typical northwest European battlefield weather. The infra-red dis- Hughes AGM-65E Maverick under an A-4 play allows the operator to distinguish live targets from dead hulks, fires or decoys at night or during bad visibility, and large objects such as power stations can be acquired at extremely long ranges. The seeker is then locked on to the target, and the launch air craft can turn away or engage another objective once the missile has been fired. Full engineering development has begun under a 35-month $50 million contract awarded at the end of 1978, with a production decision due in early Fiscal 1982. More than 31,000 AGM-65Ds may be ordered, and the missile will be the primary weapon to be used with the Lantirn (low altitude navigation targeting infra-red for night) pod which is to be fitted to F-16s and A-lOs. AGM-65E Development of the laser- guided AGM-65C variant has virtually been abandoned, but the US Marine Corps plans to acquire the AGM-65E fitted with larger wings and carrying a 135kg penetrating warhead. Production is not likely to be authorised before 1983. Operators US Air Force (two triple launchers on F-4D/E, A-7D, A-10), Israeli Air Force (two triple launchers on F-4E), Islamic Iranian Air Force (two triple launchers on F-4E), Royal Saudi Air Force (1,000 missiles worth $47 mil lion; four single launchers on F-5E), Swedish Air Force ($20 million-worth to arm AJ37 Viggen), Korean Air Force, Hellenic Air Force (F-4), Turkish Air Force (F-4). Texas Instruments AGM-88 Harm The High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile is in Rockwell International Hellfires on an AH-1 -•>* ' full-scale development and, despite earlier problems, the US Navy now says that it is expected to meet the requirements for which it was designed. A production decision is now not expected until September 1981. The US Navy plans to arm the A-7E, F/A-18 and A-6E with the missile, which will correct the operational difficulties en countered with Shrike—Harm will be faster, have a greater range, improved sensitivity, flexible logic and broadband coverage with a single seeker head. The missile will also equip the USAF's F-4G Wild Weasel defence-suppression air craft. Hostile ground radars to be attacked with Harm are detected by an Itek ALR- 45 radar warning receiver or by the mis sile's own seeker operating in the search mode. Threat priorities are com puted by a Magnavox ALR-50 missile launch-warning receiver with its asso ciated digital interface, allowing Harms to be fired against radars which are actively engaged in guidance of surface- to-air missiles. In the USAF's Wild Weasel aircraft the weapon will be interfaced with the McDonnell Douglas APR-38 radar homing and warning system. Texas Instruments is developing the AWG-25 command launch computer and a cockpit control panel to be installed in Harm-equipped aircraft. Rockwell International Hellfire Rock well is working under a $67 million contract awarded by the US Army in October 1976 for full-scale engineering development of Hellfire, initially to arm the AH-64 Advanced Attack Helicopter. The initial version will be fitted with
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