FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1982
1982 - 1089.PDF
New-generation trainer/attack Alpha Jet flight-tested WEAPON-delivery accuracy of the Dassault-Breguet/ Dormer Alpha Jet is being improved. The Alpha Jet NGEA (Nouvelle Generation pour l'Ecole et l'Attaque), already on order for Egypt and Cameroun, features an inertial navigation system, laser rangefinder, radar altimeter, and front-cockpit headup display. all linked by a digital databus. Basic export Alpha Jets are equip ped with a Sfim 550 twin-gyro attitude and heading reference system and Thomson-CSF 902 gyro gunsights. The Alpha Jet NGEA nav/attack system is based on that fitted to export Mirages and comprises: • Sagem Uliss 81 inertial navigator— performs the additional functions of weapon-aiming computer, databus management, air data computer, and drives the headup display. The INS has a drift of less than 0-8 n.m./hr. • Thomson-CSF VE110 headup dis play with symbol generator • Thomson-CSF TMV630 laser range- finder • Electronic Serge Dassault Digibus digital multiplexed avionics databus There is room available in the exist ing airframe for the new equipment, although the nose is modified to accept the laser rangefinder, and there is sufficient electrical power provided, although the 400VA inverter is replaced by a lkVA unit. The digi tal databus, developed from that in the Mirage 2000, simplifies integra tion, provides extensive self-test, and eases maintenance. ,4&Hittjm! A modified nose containing the laser rangefinder identifies this aircraft as the first prototype Dassault-breguetjDornier Alpha Nouvelle Generation pour I'Ecole et I'Attaaue (NGEA) As the Alpha Jet NGEA nav/ attack system is basically identical to equipment already installed in Das sault aircraft, integration is con sidered "routine" and testbench inte gration has been completed success fully. Commonality with other Das sault products will ease both logistics and pilot training, the company be lieves, particularly for a customer like Egypt, which already has a virtually identical system in service in its Mir age 5E2s and which is to receive Mirage 2000s. The new nav/attack system brings with it an attitude precision of some 0-3 milliradians and a speed accuracy Left Cockpit of the Alpha Jet NGEA is dominated by the Thomson-CSF VEI10 headup display. Con trol panel for the Sagem Uliss 81 is an the left Below I Thomson-CSF TtAV- 630 laser rangefinder IThomson-CSFVEIIO headup display 3 Sfim CG90 back-up head ing reference sensor 4 TRT AHV-9 radar altimeter 5 Thomson- CSF Hud symbology generator 6 Sagem Uliss 81 inertial plat form FLIGHT International, 24 April 1982 of about lm/sec, which leads to accurate aiming and firing of weapons. The laser rangefinder provides a pre cise measurement of slant range to the target. The weapon system has five modes: • Continuously computed impact point (CCIP)—used with low-drag bombs, guns, and rockets. The Hud displays the impact point for the weapon selected. When impact point coincides with target, the pilot releases his weapons. • Delayed CCIP—used with retarded or "super-retarded" bombs. The im pact point is beneath the nose and cannot be displayed on the Hud, so fictitious target and impact points are generated. When they coincide, the pilot releases his weapons. • Continuously computed release point (CCRP)—used with clean, and certain retarded, bombs. Engagement begins when the pilot designates a target with the laser rangefinder. The com puter then takes over, signalling the pilot to pull up 4-5km from the target and automatically releasing the weapons when impact point coincides with target. • CCRP/Initial Point (IP)—About 10km from the target, the pilot desig nates a landmark of known position as the offset aiming point. The rest of the attack is accomplished on inertial navigation, under cover, and weapons are released automatically to strike a target the pilot need not see. The first Alpha Jet NGEA flew at the beginning of April, following the completion of testbench avionics inte gration started in February. The first of 15 aircraft (known as Alpha Jet MS2s) will be delivered to Egypt early next year, with a further six aircraft going to Cameroun. 1033
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
