USMC Capability Upgrades

Abstract

USMC upgrades to the platform are being developed to include evaluation and development of an Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (AUTOGCAS) for all F/A-18 variants, development of increased sensor and EW capability for F/A-18 C/D, weapons carriage and employment capability expansion, and enhancement of MC processing and memory capability. AUTOGCAS will provide the F/A-18 with an auto recovery capability that maneuvers the aircraft away from the ground in case of pilot incapacitation from G-Loss of Consciousness or a Physiological Episode (PE) event. This is a significant aircraft safety improvement that could have prevented multiple fatal F/A-18 mishaps over the past two decades. 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 2024."

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2025
Source ID
bdbe669cf836f55dfea6e8241ef64a21

Tags

Readers

  • Aviation Safety Risk Assessment.
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Nuclear Civil Defense.

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