Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Program Completes Infrared Search and Track System Test

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11 March 2009

UNITED STATES - ST. LOUIS --- The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program has successfully completed a series of risk-reduction flight tests that demonstrated the compatibility and effectiveness of the IRST system on the Super Hornet strike fighter.

IRST is a passive, long-range sensor system that searches for and detects IR emissions within its field of view. It can track several targets simultaneously and provide an effective air-to-air targeting capability, even when facing advanced threats equipped with radar-jamming technology.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, and General Electric developed a prototype IRST sensor that was installed in the front section of a modified 480-gallon fuel tank. The U.S. Navy conducted six flight tests at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and four at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif.

Chris Wedewer, F/A-18E/F IRST program manager for Boeing, said the flight tests allow for low-risk entry into the development phase of the program. "Boeing and Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated transfer alignment, long-range target detection, and the ability to operate in a fuel tank," Wedewer said. "Boeing also demonstrated integration of the IRST into the F/A-18E/F's multisource integration algorithms, allowing for the fusion of IRST tracking data with data from other sensors."

Wedewer added that the demonstration ensures effective and efficient progress as the IRST program moves into development and production.

IRST is part of the Navy's F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet Flight Plan, which is a series of planned capability enhancements that ensures the Super Hornet will continue to outdistance known and emerging threats over the coming decades.

The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Equipped with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, the F/A-18E/F seamlessly conducts simultaneous air and ground missions.

Both the Super Hornet single seat E and two-seat F models convert quickly from one mission type to the next with the flip of a switch to provide consistent air dominance:

*Day/night strikes with precision-guided weapons
*Anti-air warfare
*Fighter escort
*Close air support
*Suppression of enemy air defense
*Maritime strike
*Reconnaissance
*Forward air control
*Tanker
*Payload Flexibility

The Super Hornet's versatility applies to its weapon stations and payload types:

*11 weapon stations
*Supports a full complement of smart weapons, including laser-guided bombs
*Carries a full spectrum mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground ordnance

The Super Hornet is powered by two General Electric F414-GE-400 engines:

*Distinctive caret-shaped inlet to provide increased airflow and reduced
radar signature
*22,000 pounds (98 Kn) of thrust per engine, 44,000 pounds (196 Kn) per
aircraft

Flight qualities:

*Highly departure resistant through its operational flight envelope.
*Unlimited angle-of-attack and carefree flying qualities for highly effective
combat capability and ease of training.
*Reconfigurable digital flight-control system detects and corrects for battle
damage.
*Upgradeability
*Long-term designed in versatility ensures the Super Hornet's investment
value.

Current upgrades delivered in the Block Two configuration include:

*Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar
*Advanced targeting forward-looking infrared (ATFLIR) system
*Joint-helmet mounted cueing system (JHMCS)
*Multifunctional information distribution system (MIDS)
*Advanced aft crew station
*Fibre channel switch for increased data processing capability
*Fully integrated weapons systems and sensors for reduced crew workload
and increased capability.

U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet

 

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U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy pilots train together over Okinawa
12 March 2009

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan: U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy pilots are sharpening their aerial combat skills in simulated dogfights and strike missions from March 1 through 21 over Okinawa.

Using the base as a power projection platform, F-15 Eagle pilots from the 67th Fighter Squadron and F-22 Raptor pilots from the deployed 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are training with Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots from the Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 102.

Tracking the action from their E-3 Sentry aircraft, members of the 961st Air Airborne Control Squadron will direct the simulated airwar.

The F/A-18 pilots are engaging in a high-speed, high-stakes contest of hide-and-seek with F-22s.

Lt. Col. Lansing Pilch, an F-22 pilot and commander of the deployed 27th EFS, said his squadron was honored to introduce the Navy pilots to the F-22. Colonel Pilch said with its state-of-the-art avionics suite, the fifth generation stealth fighter is a force multiplier that increases the capabilities of other fighter jets.

"The Super Hornet is an impressive, versatile aircraft," Colonel Pilch said. "Its wide range of capabilities could complement those of the F-22 extremely well in combat. Our goal with the fifth generation F-22 is to use our enhanced situational awareness to make those around us better. By training together, we will become a more effective joint fighting force."

The training makes the Navy and Air Force aviators an even more formidable joint team, capable of dominating the skies anywhere and anytime, said Col. Ronald Banks, the 18th Operations Group commander.

"We are fortunate to have the opportunity to fly with our sister service, especially since any contingency we may find ourselves in will be a joint operation," said Colonel Banks, an F-15 pilot with than 2,000 flight hours.

"Joint training allows us to refine our joint tactics, techniques, and procedures while simultaneously building confidence in our ability to fight together," the colonel said. "Joint operations are the standard for all future contingencies."

Capt. Paul Bobnock, 67th FS Weapons and Tactics chief, said the F-15 pilots and F/A-18 pilots took turns playing "blue" friendly and "red" opposing forces during mock air-to-air and air-to-ground training sorties.

A Longview, Texas, resident who has been flying the F-15 for six years, Captain Bobnock said flying with the F/A-18 allows the F-15 pilots to employ different tactics in response to this different airframe.

"We typically train against similar aircraft from our own squadron on a day-to-day basis," he said. "When I train against dissimilar aircraft, it introduces the unexpected."

It is imperative for fighter pilots to "train like they will fight," said Navy Capt. Michael Vizcarra, the commander of Fleet Activities Okinawa.

"I cannot overstate its (joint training) importance as all the services bring a variety of warfighting options to the combatant commander, and are typically utilized together to maximize their effects," Captain Vizcarra said. "The Pacific is the largest (area of operations) on the planet, and the ability of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force to coordinate and execute together is an imperative and one that should be constantly exercised to ensure mission accomplishment."

 

[S-2]

Got to have it. Optimized operational performance by synergism generated through disparate platforms.

The whole becomes far greater than the sum of it's parts.

That's where things get really cool and on the edge of the operational envelope.

 

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Lockheed Awarded Technology Development Contract for F/A-18E/F Infrared Search and Track Program
UNITED STATES - 18 MAY 2009

ORLANDO, FL, May 18th, 2009 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] was awarded a $4 million contract by the Boeing Company for the technology development phase of the F/A-18E/F Infrared Search and Track (IRST) program.

The technology development contract follows a two-year pre-system design and development program in which Lockheed Martin was down-selected as the sole source provider.

“The IRST sensor system will provide next generation capability to counter emerging threats,” said Ken Fuhr, fixed-wing program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The ability to passively detect and track targets in the absence of radar capability is essential to the Warfighter. It’s all about seeing the enemy. If you lose sight, you lose the fight.”

The F/A-18E/F IRST is a passive, infrared sensor system that enables long-range detection and weapons-quality track of enemy targets under normal and electronic attack environments. The system enhances survivability and lethality in both offensive and defensive counter-air roles.

By engaging the IRST sensor system, Warfighters can overcome electronic attack and maintain unprecedented on-board situational awareness while detecting, identifying and engaging enemy targets at extended ranges. The IRST system’s high-angle accuracy provides dramatically improved raid cell count at maximum declaration ranges and target range accuracy. This information can be used alone or fused with other sensor data to further enhance situational awareness.

Lockheed Martin is the only U.S. company with an active IRST production line. The development and production of this system for the F/A-18 E/F opens opportunities in the domestic and international markets. The IRST system is readily adaptable to a wide range of installation options on various platforms.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

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Boeing Receives Contract to Develop, Test Distributed Targeting for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
UNITED STATES - 20 MAY 2009

ST. LOUIS, May 20, 2009 – The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has received a $48.9 million contract from the U.S. Navy for development and testing of a Distributed Targeting (DT) system for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter.

This new targeting capability is part of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Network Centric Warfare Upgrades program and F/A-18E/F Flight Plan, a technology-insertion program that ensures the Block II Super Hornet will stay ahead of known and emerging threats through 2025 and beyond.

“Distributed targeting is a powerful new tool for the warfighter and another increase in capability for the Super Hornet, in line with the F/A-18E/F Flight Plan,” said Rick Martin, Boeing F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Flight Plan program manager. “Boeing will continue to work with the Navy as this new system moves forward to ensure our men and women in uniform have the capability they need.”

The DT capability utilizes onboard hardware and software processing to produce precise targeting solutions.

Development of the DT system began in February at Boeing facilities in St. Louis and at Harris Corp. in Melbourne, Fla. The DT development program will culminate with Navy flight tests in September 2010 at the Naval Air Warfare Center, China Lake, Calif.

The Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.
Boeing has delivered more than 390 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered on or ahead of schedule.


Source: Boeing

 

[murshid]

when did we are getting Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ..
F-16 are getting old now ..

 

[Beskar]

when did we are getting Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ..
F-16 are getting old now ..

How about never?

 

[Enigma SIG]

when did we are getting Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet ..
F-16 are getting old now ..

it was a miracle that the f-16s we got actually could fly

 

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Raytheon to Build More AESA Radars for U.S. Navy Super Hornets
UNITED STATES - 26 MAY 2009

Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $54 million U.S. Navy contract to retrofit Super Hornet block II aircraft with APG-79 active electronically scanned array radars.

The award by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., calls for APG-79 AESA radars to be retrofitted into lots 26 to 29 of the F/A-18E/F aircraft. The units will replace the APG-73 radars currently installed in the aircraft, ensuring that pilots and aircrews are equipped with the most advanced technology available.

"Raytheon's reliable, high-performance radar systems provide an affordable means for fleets to optimize fighter capabilities," said Tom Kennedy, vice president for Tactical Airborne Systems. "The added reliability and maintainability of the APG-79 result in lower life-cycle costs and enhanced capabilities for the Navy."

Raytheon has delivered 134 AESA radars to the U.S. Navy for the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. With this latest contract, orders for the retrofit of the 133 block II F/A-18s now total 38.

Work on the retrofit program will be performed in Forest, Miss.; Dallas; El Segundo; and Andover, Mass., and is expected to be completed in December 2010.


Source: Raytheon Company

 

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Boeing Team Delivers 1st Block II Super Hornet Flight Trainers to US Navy
UNITED STATES - 9 JUNE 2009

ST. LOUIS --- Boeing and teammate L-3 have delivered four Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Tactical Operation Flight Trainers (TOFT) to the U.S. Navy and declared them “Ready for Training.” Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Va., has two of the trainers, and two are located at NAS Lemoore, Calif.

“These are the first Block II TOFTs, the new generation of trainers,” said Steven Dent, F/A-18 Training Systems manager for Boeing. “The Boeing/L-3 team is able to offer a high level of aircraft concurrency with these new devices.”

The newly installed Block II TOFTs reflect the upgrades made to Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, including advanced sensors, avionics and the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, which Boeing has been delivering to the Navy since 2005. The team completed installation and on-site testing of the TOFTs earlier this month. The current contract calls for six more trainers, in total, to be delivered to NAS Oceana and Lemoore. Boeing expects to deliver the next two trainers in March 2010. A potential follow-on contract calls for up to four additional trainers.

“The Navy final evaluation went very well,” said Rick Mason, training system project manager for the Naval Air Warfare Center’s Training Systems Division in Orlando, Fla. “The Boeing/L-3 on-site team was very productive and got us that much closer to the finish line.”

The TOFTs, which L-3 assembles, integrates and tests at its facility in Arlington, Texas, are composed of an instructor/operator station, which establishes the scenarios and training missions, and both forward and aft crew stations, each with its own visual system. One brief/debrief station serves every two TOFTs. The Boeing/L-3 team is using three Block II TOFTs in Arlington to test software and architectural upgrades for future trainer development.


Source: Boeing Co.