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Aviation History
1992
1992 - 0016.PDF
DEFENCE McDonnell Douglas plans laser fuzes BY KIERAN DALY IN WASHINGTON DC McDonnell Douglas Elec tronic Systems (MDESC) is trying to find applications for laser-fired ordnance technology, which holds out the promise of safer weapons management. The laser-diode-initiated ord nance (LDIO) programme uses laser signals and fibre-optic routeing to monitor and initiate missiles and other devices on an aircraft, while achieving immu nity to radio frequency (RF) interference. US Navy officials have mandated a switch by 1995 to "insensitive munitions" that are not susceptible to RF, shock, high temperature or other risks. The US Army expects to switch to laser within ten years. MDESC microlaser specialist Dale Waldo says: "In today's world, almost every explosive device uses bridge wire and you run a very high current through it. But, in today's field, you have very, very strict requirements because there is a lot of RF out on the battlefield. The wire acts as an antenna and it will heat up in that environment. "When they land aircraft or helicopters on carriers even today, they have to point arma ment off the ship because of the electromagnetic interference concern that it might go off. Using fibre-optics, there is no concern about that." The system is said to be highly suitable for aircraft be cause of its built-in test capabil ity, light weight (2kg), small size and low power (less than 1.0Amp) requirement. The laser hybrid which generates the sig nal can be buried within the fuselage, where it is less suscep tible to RF. The signal is trans mitted through fibre-optic lines and is mirrored back to monitor stores carried, or used to fire a laser initiator, manufactured by Special Devices of Newhall, Cali fornia, to launch a weapon. MDESC was trying to have the system configured into the MDC Advanced Tactical Fighter YF-23 bid until it lost the competition. It was, however, part of MDC's Advanced Interdiction Weapon System proposal and, says Waldo, is standard on most new MDC missile designs. MDESC has high hopes of using LDIO in . the Delta II launch vehicle, and possibly in others, and is now planning its use in ejection seats. For a generic ejection se quencer, McDonnell Douglas Electronic plans to use LDIO to cut tolerances in canopy dis posal, ejection and man/seat sep aration. Current systems use a miniature detonating cord. • CASUALTIES GREECE A Greek air force Douglas C-47 crashed on take-off from Tatoi AB near Athens on 27 December, killing the pilot and slightly injuring five of the transport's six passengers. Engine failure was reported. UNITED STATES A Minnesota Air National Guard General Dynamics F- 16B Fighting Falcon failed to return to Howard AFB, Pan ama, on 19 December. The aircraft belonged to the 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. HONDURAS A Honduran army Bell UH-1H was shot down over El Salva dor on 19 December. All nine crew and passengers on board the helicopter were killed. The Salvadorean Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front admitted responsibility. SOUTH KOREA Two South Korean air force Northrop F-5As collided and crashed near Kwangju on 13 December. The pilot of one F-5 ejected, but the other did not and was killed. HAWKS REPLACE CANBERRA TUGS The English Electric Canberra TT.18s operated by the Royal Air Force's lOOSqn in the target towing role for surface-to-air and air-to-air gunnery and as intercept targets are being replaced b_y British Aerospace Hawks. lOOSqn is based at RAF Wyton, Cambridgeshire. Israel plans new AH-1 Cobra upgrades The Israeli air force plans to upgrade its Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters further by increasing maximum take-off weight and installing an ad vanced mission computer, multi function displays and other cockpit systems. The programme will enhance the capability of the helicopter, already improved by a new night targeting system (NTS) devel oped in Israel jointly by the Israeli air force and the United States Marine Corps. The NTS, known to the USMC as the Cobra laser night- attack system, is an extensive upgrade of the Cobra's original M-65 TOW missile system. NTS gives the Cobra full night capa bility to launch TOW and Hell- fire missiles. Installation is about to begin. The further upgrading of the attack helicopter will involve in stalling a new mission computer driving a moving map system, a global positioning satellite navi gation system and multi-func tion displays. To enhance the helicopter's operational capabilities in varied environments, its maximum take-off weight will be increased from the current improved 4,606kg to at least 4,919kg. To achieve this, the existing two- blade main rotor will be re placed with a four-blade type, a new power transmission system will be installed and the tail boom will be stretched. Other airframe modifications will also be performed. • • Logica to supply UK low flying safety system UK company Logica has been awarded a £10 million con tract by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on behalf of the Ministry of Defence to im plement the automated low fly ing, flight planning, enquiry and notification system (ALFENS) to co-ordinate military low flying activities and routeing deconflic- tion in the UK. All major military airbases and weapons ranges in the UK will have dedicated access to the central ALFENS computer at the CAA's London Air Traffic Con trol Centre. Over 300 user work stations will be networked to provide route and range book ing, route deconfliction and real time data on weather and air traffic restrictions. • 14 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 8 - 14 January. 1992
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