F/A-18 Improvement

Abstract

F/A-18 Improvements (1662): The F/A-18 is a multi-mission strike fighter aircraft that is used in Air-to-Air strike, surveillance, reconnaissance and tanking roles through selected use of external equipment (fuel tanks, tactical and reconnaissance pods, and various ordnance launching racks). Additional capabilities are required for interoperability in a network-centric tactical environment. In order to respond effectively to emerging future threats, F/A-18 aircraft capabilities are being upgraded to incorporate new/enhanced weapons systems and avionics including Dual Mode Weapons, an Infra-red Search and Track (IRST), Integrated Defensive Electronic Counter Measures (IDECM) integrated with the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) to provide Narrow Band High Gain Electronic Attack (NBHGEA), Distributed Targeting precision strike capability through a Distributed Targeting System (DTS), and Sensor Integration through Multi-Sensor Integration (MSI) Phase I capability. Continued advanced development engineering and analysis of hardware/software is required to successfully optimize fleet F/A-18 weapon systems for interoperability in a network centric tactical environment, to include: enhanced software capabilities, potential new hardware development, enhanced existing hardware, and enhanced network centric capabilities. Additionally, continued effort is needed to perform technical evaluations, modeling and simulations, investigative flight testing, and enhanced software modifications based on reported fleet deficiencies. Funding has been added starting in FY 2012 for the Auto Ground Collision Avoidance System (AGCAS) which will integrate currently implemented manual methodologies to provide not only aural and visual cues/advisories but also automatic initiation of aircraft recovery and subsequent return of control to the pilot following recovery. Currently employed Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) Avoidance System technologies within the Department of Defense Fighter/Attack (F/A) aircraft communities are advisory only (aural and visual cues/warnings to aircrew), thus requiring manually implemented corrective measures by the aicrew to preclude incident (greater lag time to initiation of recovery and not feasible in the event of pilot G-induced loss of consciousness). This funding line continues F/A-18E/F "Flight Plan" spiral capability development, which includes Sensor Integration - Multi-Ship Emitter Geo-Location capability and Sensor Integration - MSI Phase II capability. This budget also continues funding for F/A-18A-F Test Wing Maintenance support and funding development efforts needed for integration of air launched laser guided rockets on F/A-18 A+/C/D.

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Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
1662_0204136N_7_1319_PB_2012

Tags

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems

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