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Aviation History
1988
1988 - 0071.PDF
SCIENCEXSCOPE A newly developed system significantly speeds up the measurement of digital data generated by modern radars. The Automated Radar Monitor (ARM) system uses a computer and special interface hardware. It replaces expensive, time-consuming manual special test equipment (STE) hardware panels currently used. ARM can collect high-speed digital radar data, analyze it, and display it on several computer terminals simultaneously. The cost of the ARM system, developed by Hughes Aircraft Company, is approximately one-third that of the STE it replaces. During a test, two Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) demonstrated the ability to seek out targets without interfering with each other's radar tracking systems. At the U.S. Navy's Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, California, the AMRAAMs were fired by an F/A-18 in rapid succession at the same target drone. The first missile scored a direct hit on the drone, causing it to explode in mid-air. The second missile, seconds behind the first, guided itself directly into the debris of the disintegrating target. The AMRAAM program, in full-scale development by Hughes for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, now has 34 successes in 41 scored tests. A new electronic warfare receiver is increasing the probability of intercept of threat radar emitters in dense signal environments. The Microscan Receiver, built by Hughes, allows detection of low-level signals even in the presence of much larger in-band signals. Pulses as short as 50 nanoseconds can be detected with 100 percent probability over an instantaneous bandwidth of 500 MHz, using the Microscan Receivers. All standard pulse descriptor words, including angle, are presented as digital word outputs from the receiver. These pulse descriptor words can be processed by Hughes' Emitter Characterizer, which provides emitter identification parameters. The result is positive emitter identification, or classification as an "unknown" if no comparison can be made. British Army Lynx helicopters will "see" in darkness, smoke, and haze after thermal imaging systems are integrated into their TOW roof sights. The current telescopic sight is effective for firing TOW anti tank missiles during daylight missions only. The thermal imaging system will expand the sight's capability into 24-hour operation. Hughes, developer of the airborne TOW system, will integrate four British-built thermal imaging systems under contract to British Aerospace. Hughes will also perform qualification testing and will provide support for the flight tests. British Aerospace, which is licensed to produce the roof sight, will then retrofit 107 systems in the United Kingdom. Hughes has produced and delivered more than 1,500 airborne TOW systems worldwide for installation on U.S. and foreign- built helicopters. The TOW missile has been deployed with the forces of more than 30 nations. Astronomers using a new advanced detector device may discover totally new objects, such as planets around other stars and failed or dying stars. The device, a super-chilled focal plane array, attaches to the bottom of an infrared telescope. It consists of a detector chip and a silicon readout chip that converts energy data into video signals from which television-like images can be produced. The array, developed and built by Hughes, is cooled by liquid helium to -223 to -263 degrees Celsius. This greatly increases the detectors' ability to sense the faint radiant energy of stars being formed and evolving within thick gaseous clouds, known as nebulae. For more information write to: P.O. Box 45068, Los Angeles, CA 90045-0068 USA ' * © 1988 Hughes Aircraft Company Subsidiary of GM Hughes Electronics HUGHES AIRCRAFT COMPANY
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