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Aviation History
2003
2003 - 0008.PDF
HEADLINES DEFENCE GRAHAM WARWICK / WASHINGTON DC Real-time imaging hits the target Internet technology used to send visual data from command and control aircraft to fighter's weapon system operator Controller and pilot share the target image in real time Link 16 and with the limited com puting power available on the F-15. Images and other data were exchanged over the network as internet-protocol packets embed ded in Link 16 messages. In the demonstration, the F-15E was launched on a preplanned mis sion then rerouted in flight to a new target. The 737, acting as a command and control aircraft, received the new target location via satellite and sent a folder of thumb nail images to the F-IS via Link 16. The F-15 weapon system operator (WSO) selected an image and a full- size version was downloaded over the datalink. A usable image was available within 20s, says Winter. Using their display cursors, the controller and the WSO were then able to anno tate the shared image, each seeing in real time what the other was doing, and collaboratively plan a strike on the new target. The 737 and F-15 were about 180km (lOOnm) apart, and the collabora tive session lasted about 8min, says Winter. "We were able to divert the crew to a new, fairly well camouflaged target, which they visually ac quired on the first pass," Winter says. The F-15 crew was given no information on the new target before taking off and had not flown in the area before. The demonstration used the advanced display core processor (ADCP) and Link 16 fighter datalink, both of which are being retrofitted into US Air Force F-15Es. Winter says the USAF is interested in equipping one wing of F-15Es with the capability. ADCP-equipped F-15Es will become operational in 2004, but the capability could be fielded ear lier by installing a dedicated processor, he says. DEFENCE PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC ITT aims to sell low-cost avionics to US Army as Greece buys British Boeing has demonstrated collabo rative in-flight planning of an air strike via an internet-like connec tion between a command and con trol aircraft and a fighter. The test involved Boeing's 737 avionics fly ing laboratory and F-15E technol ogy demonstrator and used the Link 16 tactical datalink. The demonstration was promp ted by the low success of Scud- hunting missions over Iraq during the Gulf War, when F-15 crews were given only voice briefings on new targets. If required, the capability to share time-critical target images via Link 16 could be fielded on a lim ited number of F-15Es in as little as six months, says Don Winter, director network-centric operations at Boeing Phantom Works. The biggest challenge, Winter says, was to demonstrate that the controller and pilot could share a target image via the low-band width connection provided by AIR TRANSPORT Fokker F28 goes down Air traffic controllers lost contact with a Transportes Aereos Nacionales (TANS) Fokker F28 Mk1000 as it approached Chachapoyas Airport in the mountains of north-east Peru at 08.43 local time on 9 January, about 3min from its destination. The crew put out an emergency call, and at 08.45 the airport announced the aircraft missing. TANS says weather condi tions were clear visibility and scattered clouds, and the aircraft had sufficient fuel to divert. An airborne search and res cue effort was mounted, but suspended as the weather wors ened dramatically. Late last week the 28-year-old twinjet (OB-1396/FAP390) had not been found. There were 42 pas sengers and four crew aboard the weekly scheduled flight from the seaside town of Chiclayo. ITT Industries is in discussions with the US Army to supply a lower-cost derivative of the ALQ-211(V)1 suite of integrated radio frequency coun- termeasures (SIRFC) to upgrade its fleet of Boeing AH-64 Apaches. The move comes as Greece looks set to choose the rival BAE Systems heli copter integrated defensive aids system (HIDAS) for its planned pur chase of 12 additional Apache attack helicopters. The US Army shelved plans two years ago to equip the AH-64D Apache Longbow with both SIRFC and the BAE suite of integrated infrared countermeasures (SIIRCM) on the cost grounds. "We're work ing with the army on a derivative of SIRFC that's an affordable inser tion," says Chris Bernhardt, ITT Avionics president. He says a posi tive response has been received. To reduce the cost of the system, the US Army is considering separat ing the SIRFC's jammer and ini tially ordering the radar-warning receiver element only. SIRFC is a modular suite and seven distinct versions have been produced to date for different platforms, with add-on countermeasure dispensers, different types of jammers, elec tronic support measures, laser warning and target cueing. "Costs have come down significantly as a result of this strategy," adds Bernhardt. The ALQ-211(V)2 has been selected for the US Air Force's Bell Boeing CV-22 and the (V)3 for the army's Boeing Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche. The US Army Special Operations Command has ordered the (V)6 and (V)7 for its Boeing MH-47E and Sikorsky MH-60K Black Hawks, respectively, while the (V)4 will equip Chile's and Oman's Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds and the (V)5 is for Norway's NH Industries NH90 helicopter. The company so far has been unable to find a customer for the baseline (V)l on the Apache, for which it was originally designed. International AH-64 operators are reluctant to pay to equip their helicopters with the system until it is adopted by the US Army. Greece is understood to be planning to include HIDAS in its planned order for 12 AH-64DS. This follows Kuwait ordering the UK system last year. ITT director business development John Chehansky says: "The United Arab Emirates is very competitive". The UAE is due to decide soon on the upgrade of 30 AH-64As. 6 14-20 JANUARY 2003 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL www.flightinternational.com
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