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Aviation History
1992
1992 - 0026.PDF
detection and illumination for a "fire-and- forget" version of the laser-guided Hellfire anti-tank missile fitted with a radio- frequency seeker. Development began in January 1991 and the US Army plans to upgrade 227 Apaches to AH-64D Longbow configuration starting in 1996 while addi tional Apaches and all 1,200-plus Coman- ches will be equipped to accept the radar. The Longbow radar will supplement the primary electro-optical targeting systems on both the Apache and the Comanche, detect ing and classifying armoured targets in conditions where infra-red visibility is de graded. Martin Marietta, which produces the AH-64's target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor (TADS/ PNVS), has been selected to develop the RAH-66's aided target acquisition/designa tion (ATA/D) system. The Comanche's ATA/D, like the Apache's TADS/PNVS, comprises both a target-acquisition sight and a night-vision pilotage sensor, both nose-mounted. Focal- plane-array detector technology will provide improved infra-red imagery at extended ranges, says Martin Marietta. As part of the Boeing-led team developing the RAH-66's mission-equipment package, TRW is supplying VHSIC-based signal and data processors and leading development of the helicopter's communications and elec tronic-warfare suites. ICNIA AND INEWS The F-22 and RAH-66 are the first applica tions for the joint-service integrated communication, navigation and identifica tion avionics (ICNIA) and integrated elec tronic-warfare system (INEWS) program mes which have been under way in the USA for some time. Interestingly, while the winning ATF and LH teams followed the same route on ICNIA, selecting TRW as the lead devel oper, they diverged on INEWS, Boeing Sikorsky staying with TRW while Lock heed/Boeing/General Dynamics, not unex pectedly, opted for Lockheed Sanders. TRW leads an ICNIA team that comprises Rockwell-Collins, GEC-Marconi Electronic Systems and ITT Avionics. The team has already built advanced development models which perform more than 14 communica tion, navigation and identification (CNI) functions using common modules and shared resources. ICNIA provides simultaneous multiple waveforms, each equivalent to a discrete radio. Fault detection and isolation to a specific module allows reconfiguration fol lowing failures to minimise disruption in service. The F-22 and RAH-66 CNI systems will be built up from the same common modules — how many of each are used depends on the number of radio functions and degree of fault tolerance required con sidering the widely differing roles. Differences between the F-22 and RAH- 66 versions of ICNIA include the fighter's requirement for simultaneous operation of the global positioning system and joint tactical information distribution system and the two-crew Comanche's need for simulta neous voice channels. The principle of INEWS is similar to that of ICNIA — to use common modules and shared resources to produce a smaller, lighter and more-reliable electronic-warfare (EW) system. The F-22 INEWS will be developed by Lockheed Sanders and GE Aerospace and will integrate multiple EW functions into a single "multispectral" sys tem that will protect against a wide range of threats. The Sanders/GE INEWS includes radar warning receivers, missile launch and attack warning sensors, countermeasures and elec tronic support equipment. An advanced development model which has been under test since January 1990 has proved able to detect both radar and infra-red threats simultaneously with improved sensitivity and direction-finding compared with cur rent EW systems. INEWS is part of the F-22's integrated sensor suite that has at its heart the Hughes CIP. This approach allows data from vari ous sensors to be "fused" into a single tactical picture which provides an up-to- the-minute situation assessment. TRWs INEWS, co-developed with Westinghouse, forms the basis of the RAH- 66's aircraft survivability equipment (ASE). This is likely to include radar and laser warning receivers and electronic and electro-optic countermeasures systems. CI The recent F-16s have radically updated avionics, and older ones are undergoing mid-life updates The F-22 and RAH-66 will outlive the avionics they are born with. Pre planned product improvement is a crucial element of aircraft design today,- and the almost continuous, and continuing, improvements wrought to the General Dynamics (GD) F-16 are a good example. Block 50 represents the latest F-16 production standard. The first was handed over to the US Air Force in October 1991. Block 50 aircraft incorporate a number of avionics improvements and provisions for future enhancements. The aircraft is fitted with the latest (V5) version of Westinghouse's APG-68 radar. This features an advanced programmable signal processor and offers improved reli ability and a situational-awareness mode. The Block 50 cockpit looks little differ ent from that of previous F-16s,. but behind the GEC Avionics wide-angle head-up display and twin Honeywell multi-function displays is an upgraded Fairchild programmable display generator with provisions for later addition of colour and a digital terrain system. Block 50 is also the first F-16 standard to incorporate what GD calls an improved data modem (IDM), but which used to be described more revealingly as the auto mated target hand-off system. IDM is a tactical datalink using existing radios for command and control communications. Other significant Block 50 enhance ments include Litton or Honeywell ring- laser-gyro inertial-navigation systems, Loral ALR-56M programmable radar warning receiver interfaced with Tracor ALE-47 chaff/flare dispensers, and a Texas Instruments launcher interface computer to improves the F-16's ability to launch HARM and Shrike anti-radar missiles. Block 50 is not, however, the most advanced F-16 planned. Three other pro grammes involve major avionics improve ments: close air-support F/A-16, reconnaissance RF-16, and F-16A/B mid life update (MLU). All involve upgrading existing aircraft. The US Air Force F/A-16 programme envisages the modification of 300 Block 30 F-16s to the close air-support role starting in 1996. The major modification will be the linking of a head-steered forward-looking infra-red (FL1R) sensor to the pilot's helmet-mounted display. The USAF RF-16 programme calls for 150 F-16s to be equipped to carry the ATARS reconnaissance pod. These aircraft will receive the head-steered FLIR, modu lar mission computer, digital terrain sys tem and improved data modem. The F-16 MLU programme calls for kits to upgrade 533 Belgian, Danish, Nether lands, Norwegian and US F-16A/Bs, start ing in 1995. 24 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL 8 - 14 January, 1992
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