F/A-18 Improvement
Abstract
The F/A-18 is required to perform multiple missions. The continued F/A-18 E/F and EA-18G "Flight Plan" spiral capability development is critical to the baseline of the Super Hornet next generation mission system capability to maintain the platform's tactical relevance in support of Navy Aviation Plan 2030. Development continues for a platform solution to threat Advanced Electronic Attack and Counter-Electronic Attack (CEA). F/A-18 solutions to CEA include upgrades to existing sensors such as F/A-18 Radar Upgrade, Infrared Search and Track Block I/II, and development of Nirvana (next increment of Common Tactical Picture (CTP)) that increases aircraft lethality and kill chain effectiveness through multi aircraft sensor fusion. Continued advanced development engineering for improvements in reliability and maintainability is required to ensure maximum benefit is achieved through reduced cost of ownership and provides enhanced availability. Capabilities of the F/A-18 weapon system and ancillary equipment can be upgraded to accommodate and incorporate new or enhanced weapons and advances in technology to respond effectively to emerging future threats. Future integrated Carrier Air Wing Concept of Operations (CONOPS) demand changes to the base line Block II Super Hornet. In response, the Block III Super Hornet was submitted. None of the changes to the aircraft are revolutionary; however, the combined impact to the aircraft's capability and its contribution to the Airwing are significant. The initial F/A-18 Block III concept includes low risk changes which will be incorporated in the near term with a combination of forward fit production line incorporation and retrofit modifications to the aircraft already planned as part of the Service Life Modification (SLM) Plan. USMC upgrades to the platform are being developed; to include integration and capability expansion of AESA Radar for F/A-18 A-D, evaluation and development of an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AUTOGCAS) for all F/A-18 variants, development of increased sensor and Electronic Warfare (EW) capability for F/A-18 A-D, weapons carriage and employment capability expansion, and enhancement of Mission Computer (MC) processing and memory capability. The requirement for Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto-GCAS and/or AGCAS) is documented in the F/A-18 C/D Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System Requirement Letter, dated 20 July 2020: "Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) has been the leading cause of F/A-18 aircraft loss and aircrew fatality. Protecting the lives of aircrew, and preserving Marine Corps' assets are vital to combat readiness. The F/A-18 community has consistently placed AGCAS as a top platform safety priority in Naval Aviation Readiness Groups, Operational Advisory Groups, and Systems Safety Working Groups. AGCAS aligns with Section 127 of the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act, which directs the Secretary of the Navy to mitigate the risk of pilot incapacitation posed by physiological episodes. Historically, USAF F-16 squadrons have experienced similar CFIT mishap rates. To address this, the F-16 community developed a variant of AGCAS, and has demonstrated real world success in preventing CFIT with at least eight documented "saves." Due to this capability, the risk of CFIT has been effectively mitigated in the USAF F-16 community. Most importantly, AGCAS would have prevented multiple fatal F/A-18 CFIT mishaps based on simulation re-enactments of these events. The USMC F/A-18 community requires AGCAS. The system must be capable of providing an Initial Operating Capability no later than the end of Fiscal Year 2022." Funding for the Digital Video Map Computer-Upgrade (DVMC-U)/Advanced Crew Station (ACS) Improved Tactical Displays which will enable Panoramic "Big Picture" view of the Battle Space for improved weapons employment and engagement. Including the development of an AUTOGCAS for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G as a logical extension of the DVMC-Upgrade leveraging completed work from F/A-18A-D using modifications to the TAWS resident in the existing Super Hornet/Growler DVMC in fatal mishap prevention. Funding for Naval Aviation Physiological Episode (PE) mitigation and root cause investigation in aircraft. JUSTIFICATION FOR BUDGET ACTIVITY: This program is funded under OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT because it includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2022
- Source ID
- 1662_0204136N_7_1319_PB_2022
Related Documents
- Root: F/A-18 Squadrons
- Child Accomplishment: USMC Capability Upgrades
- Child Accomplishment: Digital Video Map Computer-Upgrade (DVMC-U)
- Child Accomplishment: Multi-System Integration (MSI) / Common Tactical Picture (CTP)
- Child Accomplishment: Flight Plan Engineering / System Configuration Set Development and Integration
- Child Accomplishment: Physiological Episode Mitigation
- Child Accomplishment: F/A-18 Obsolescence Redesign
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