PAF's Electronic Warfare F-16 Falcon

[Windjammer]

The F-16 nearest the camera is said to be exclusively equipped for electronic warfare.

Reportedly the gold tinted canopy protects the pilot from intense radiation which is emitted when he carries out electronic warfare and countermeasures,

 

[Mrc]

we should have same in JF 17

 

[Windjammer]

we should have same in JF 17

We first need to equip the JF-17 with a suitable ECM Pod.

 

[gambit]

The F-16 nearest the camera is said to be exclusively equipped for electronic warfare.

Reportedly the gold tinted canopy protects the pilot from intense radiation which is emitted when he carries out electronic warfare and countermeasures,



View attachment 364000

First...The gold tint is an attempt to reduce cockpit contribution to RCS.

Second...EW transmission jamming beam can be formed, just like a radar beam, and more directional in terms of situational tactics, so the cockpit region receives next to none of the EW beam. Only when the jamming is needed to be wide area and highest output is when the cockpit region need that faraday cage like function precisely because of the proximity to the transmitting antennas.

 

[.]

Holy Shyt,What kinda radiation ??

 

[Windjammer]

First...The gold tint is an attempt to reduce cockpit contribution to RCS.

Second...EW transmission jamming beam can be formed, just like a radar beam, and more directional in terms of situational tactics, so the cockpit region receives next to none of the EW beam. Only when the jamming is needed to be wide area and highest output is when the cockpit region need that faraday cage like function precisely because of the proximity to the transmitting antennas.

I was only repeating from the source....anyways,
For the highlighted, how effective is this application and why don't we see it applied more commonly. !!

@gambit . reference from another source seems to claim the same sir.


Originaly, I understand the the canopy of the F-22 was to be coated with a layer of gold that was to protect the pilot from radiation hazard from the powerful radar. I then read that this was changed as the the pilot was not as exposed as originally believed. Now almost all the on-line references I have looked at so far shows either a clear canopy or a smoke tinted one

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I watched in the documentary they stated the cannopy had to be coated so the radar rays would not "bounce" off the pilot's own body and in turn give away the location of the stealth plane

The ground radar , would emit raditions out to skies in order to detect a fighter jet , and these rays not only fall on the surface of the plane but are sensitive enough to fall on pilot's own body and had capability to return "some data" back to the ground radar team.

The explaination made proper sense , a glass canoppy transparent enough to give you as a pilot view of outside but not as common to allow detection by radars

 

[gambit]

For the highlighted, how effective is this application and why don't we see it applied more commonly. !!

For the highlighted -- RCS contribution reduction -- it is effective. Am not going to say 'very' or any other intensifier word, only that it works. The tint was also claimed to reduce glint and laser protection, although I doubt the laser protection bit.

Now, it is legitimate to wonder why would the cockpit region matter when the jet have all sorts of doo-dads hanging off the wings that does far more to contribution to RCS.

The answer is that it depends on the aspect (view) of the seeking radar on the jet. At the ideal aspect angle, the cockpit is essentially a focus lens...

Let us take a look at the F-16 in a not quite head on aspect...

It is obvious that the jet's fuselage/wings area would be highly reflective of any seeking radar. And that is true.

What is also true is that the fuselage/wings area would produce a diffused reflective signal.

On the other hand, looking at the cockpit itself and we would see a well or a bowl that would concentrate reflective signals into a beacon of sort.

Keep in mind this is how a radar sees an aircraft, as a cluster of voltage spikes...

We do not want to give the enemy radar any assist in trying to detect us. So imagine that huge spike (above) as the cockpit well region.

Radar data processing are programmed to focus on GRADIENTS of intensities in a cluster.

http://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/1520-0450(1977)016<0511:SOHRRG>2.0.CO;2

See the abstract in the above source.

So under ideal situations, such as ACM or ground attack maneuvers, there is no need to have the cockpit aid the enemy.

 

[Signalian]

We first need to equip the JF-17 with a suitable ECM Pod.

JF-17 first needs AESA radar.

The 23mm gun can be removed and replaced with electronic boxes which can control detection pod while assisting jamming pods or an ECM/Detection pod designed to be carried internally and it still serves the purpose.
One hard point configured to carry High band Jamming pod.
One hard point configured to carry Low band Jamming Pod.
Otherwise Use an EW system that has High band jamming and low band jamming embedded in one system and doesnt switch modes but uses two simultaneously.
Wing tips configured to carry detection pods. if ECM pod takes another hard point.

There are still many limitations such as if its fitted with Pods for EW/SIGINT/ELINT/ECM warfare then the centre line will be taken up by fuel tank otherwise range will decrease. Similarly not enough hard points to carry SEAD/DEAD weaponry missions or even self defence. In that case two JF-17 could be used, one equipped with mainly with Pods, other carrying DEAD weaponry. Just an idea ,in any case PAF knows better.Probably spare one wing tip for AAM if mission config allows.

Even if its not carrying any weapon but only pods and fuel tanks, it can still the purpose with its escort jamming package which can be invaluable for missions under taken by PAF in IAF skies.

J-31(compromising stealth carrying external payload) or any other heavier aircraft like SU35 can be more suitably fitted for such purpose but none of this is a confirmed acquisition.

 

[The SC]

First...The gold tint is an attempt to reduce cockpit contribution to RCS.

Second...EW transmission jamming beam can be formed, just like a radar beam, and more directional in terms of situational tactics, so the cockpit region receives next to none of the EW beam. Only when the jamming is needed to be wide area and highest output is when the cockpit region need that faraday cage like function precisely because of the proximity to the transmitting antennas.

Do you mean enhance cockpit contribution to RCS?

Because the synergy between jamming and low radar cross section is unquestionable

 

[messiach]

High conductive materials. Gold is good. Current generations have partially moved away from gold. High conductance fast diode multilayer cermain cc, embedded in the glass canopy are in development or have been developed for the same purpose.

 

[Naif al Hilali]

Holy Shyt,What kinda radiation ??

Now consider that the jammer pods are actually behind the pilot and that there instantaneous output when in burn-through mode might be higher than the fighter's radar.

@gambit is correct in everything he says, which is refreshing considering the pussyfooting and evading found on all other forums where they basically say we will tell you but then we will have to kill you.

I think the coating moved on to indium-tin-oxide; don't know what they currently use.

High conductive materials. Gold is good. Current generations have partially moved away from gold. High conductance fast diode multilayer cermain cc, embedded in the glass canopy are in development or have been developed for the same purpose.

Ok that answers it.

 

[MastanKhan]

High conductive materials. Gold is good. Current generations have partially moved away from gold. High conductance fast diode multilayer cermain cc, embedded in the glass canopy are in development or have been developed for the same purpose.

Hi,

Always a gem of a post---.

 

[CriticalThought]

Cluebie question: Wouldn't the golden tint cause sunlight reflection, thereby increasing the possibility if visual detection?

Also, for JF-17 I prefer the idea of autonomous drones accompanying the plane providing specialized EW facilities. The plane itself should be completely stealthy - OK as much stealth as we can get out of it.

 

[gambit]

Cluebie question: Wouldn't the golden tint cause sunlight reflection, thereby increasing the possibility if visual detection?

Not from my experience.