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Aviation History
1991
1991 - 2832.PDF
THE ESSENTIAL ASIA-PACIFIC AEROSPACE EVENT Avalon, Victoria 21-25 October, 1992 Share in the market of the fastest-growing economic region in the world. • A market for aviation infra structure and aircraft sales worth $200 billion. • A market with Australia as the technological leader in aerospace research and development, design and production. • A market worth exploring at the Australian International Air Show and Aerospace Expo. • The essential Asia-Pacific event if you're serious about aerospace business. And in Australia, where it's a pleasure to do business! AIRSHOWS DOWNUNDER AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL AIR SHOW AND AEROSPACE EXPO For details call 61-2-630-2000, Fax 61-2-630-4764 f < radar and provisions for a microwave land ing system. Some will also receive a day helmet-mounted display and advanced IFF. TERRAIN FOLLOWING The Block 50 F-16s may also have an IDM and an ALE-45 advanced chaff/flare system. Some of the Block 50s may also have the digital terrain system, possibly integrated with an autopilot to provide automatic terrain-following capability. Both GD and the USAF say, however, that the exact configuration of the Block 50 aircraft has not yet been decided. Technology is also allowing the USAF to use an F-16 for tactical reconnaissance without dedicating aircraft solely to that mission. The RF-16s will be Block 25 and Block 30/32, equipped with the Martin Marietta advanced tactical airborne recon naissance system (ATARS) pod that can be removed if the aircraft is needed for other combat missions. The pod is also a vast improvement over the current system used in the RF-4Cs, because it can either store data for immediate viewing after landing or downlink images to ground receiving sta tions, eliminating the need for time- consuming film processing. Some of the RF-4Cs will be kept operational in ANG units until the RF-16 ATARS-equipped air craft become operational, in about 1996. RF-16s will also receive the F/A-16's hel met-mounted display, digital terrain system, improved data modem, and modular mis sion computer. The Block 40 F-16s now in production are being outfitted to support the night time, under-the-weather interdiction mis sions of the F-15E Strike Eagles. All the Block 40s, the first with digital flight controls, were being equipped with the LANTIRN navigation system during Desert Storm, although the targeting pods were not operational. Block 40 F-16s are also equipped with automatic terrain-following capability. Provisions are also being made in these aircraft for future electronic-warfare upgrades, such as an airborne self- protection jammer, an ALR-56M RWR and ALE-40 chaff/flare dispensers. Structural enhancements allow the aircraft a 9g capa bility up to 14,960kg and a maximum gross weight of 19,200kg. The Block 50 aircraft will include an increab^d performance engine with digital engine control — either a P&W F100-229 or a General Electric Fl 10-129 — with approximately 130kN (29,0001b) of thrust. It will have an advanced APG-68(V5) fire control radar and the ALR-56M RWR. It will also have provisions for planned fol low-on incorporation of a ring laser gyro, an improved data modem for digital target hand-off, ALE-47 advanced chaff/flare dis penser, a digital terrain system and full HARM integration. REPLACEMENT The USAF expects the advances in new production F-16s and modifications to ex isting models to keep the aircraft capable- through 2015-20, but it will eventually have to be replaced. Focus on getting approval for the F-22 meant that a follow-on multi-role fighter (MRF) was put on the back burner, but the idea is still very much alive, says Ralston, who hopes to get a Defense Aquisition Board validation of need for the fighter in Fiscal Year 1992, so that specifications can be drawn up and the proposal process can begin. If that happens, a follow-on MRF could be operational by 2005. The dominance of the F-16 might not end even when the aircraft are eventually replaced because, Ralston acknowledges, one of the potentials for a follow-on MRF is an F-16 derivative, such as the Falcon 21. If it were chosen, the F-16 might be the backbone of the Air Combat Command fleet and the predominant aircraft in numerous other air forces throughout the world for the next 30-40 years. '! A Mk 84 2,000\b (910kg) bomb is being slung under the wing. The missile is an AIM-9 Sidewinder FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 30 October - 5 November, 1991
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