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Pakistan F-16 Discussions 2

An investigation blamed moisture for the cracking in the radome of US-made AIM-120s

An investigation has concluded that cracking occurring in the radome on some of the US-made AIM-120C air-to-air missiles carried by Taiwan’s F-16s was caused by long-term exposure to humidity and stress, the Air Force General Headquarters said yesterday.

The air force made the comments after local media reported earlier the same day that the problem with the missile — the most advanced in the Taiwanese air force — had been observed for three consecutive years.The air force currently has 120 AIM-120C-5 and 218 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) in its inventory.

The “fire-and-forget” missiles are used on its 146 F-16 aircraft. The first order of AIM-120s was delivered to the air force in 2004.Radomes, one of the eight main sections of a missile, are a pyroceramic cone at the nose that serve as a window for radar or heat-seeking electromagnetic devices inside the missile.

In a statement, the air force said it had followed US suggestions to improve rotation cycles and store the missiles in conditions that would reduce the impact of moisture on the radomes. The US has been asked to repair the damaged missiles, the statement said, adding that the problem had not undermined national defense.

Raytheon Corp is the main manufacturer of the missile.In a report on the 2010 AMRAAM International Users’ Conference held in Florida in May 2010, the Taiwanese air force had already identified the problem and said it had sought the assistance of the US in addressing the impact of high humidity on the missile.

The US investigation into the causes of the cracking has ruled out accidental damage caused by poor packaging or handling, as well as vandalism. The probe concluded that the high humidity in Taiwan, as well as the tremendous pressure exerted on the missiles from supersonic flight, were the principal causes of the problem.

However, the radomes on the French-made MICA and the domestically produced Tien Chien II “Sky Sword” — two other air-to-air missiles used by the Taiwanese air force — do not seem to have had similar problems, despite being exposed to the same climatic conditions, storage and rotation cycles.

According to information on Raytheon’s Web site, 36 countries worldwide have procured the AIM-120. The missile is also used on US aircraft carrier-based F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.

Missile fault blamed on humidity - Taipei Times


The probe concluded that the high humidity in Taiwan, as well as the tremendous pressure exerted on the missiles from supersonic flight, were the principal causes of the problem

Pakistan also has the same version AIM-120C. Well these missiles are designed to absorb high G's than how come the cracks can appear due to supersonic flights. I mean the aircraft has less ability to sustain Gs than the missile itself.
 
An investigation blamed moisture for the cracking in the radome of US-made AIM-120s

An investigation has concluded that cracking occurring in the radome on some of the US-made AIM-120C air-to-air missiles carried by Taiwan’s F-16s was caused by long-term exposure to humidity and stress, the Air Force General Headquarters said yesterday.

The air force made the comments after local media reported earlier the same day that the problem with the missile — the most advanced in the Taiwanese air force — had been observed for three consecutive years.The air force currently has 120 AIM-120C-5 and 218 AIM-120C-7 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) in its inventory.

The “fire-and-forget” missiles are used on its 146 F-16 aircraft. The first order of AIM-120s was delivered to the air force in 2004.Radomes, one of the eight main sections of a missile, are a pyroceramic cone at the nose that serve as a window for radar or heat-seeking electromagnetic devices inside the missile.

In a statement, the air force said it had followed US suggestions to improve rotation cycles and store the missiles in conditions that would reduce the impact of moisture on the radomes. The US has been asked to repair the damaged missiles, the statement said, adding that the problem had not undermined national defense.

Raytheon Corp is the main manufacturer of the missile.In a report on the 2010 AMRAAM International Users’ Conference held in Florida in May 2010, the Taiwanese air force had already identified the problem and said it had sought the assistance of the US in addressing the impact of high humidity on the missile.

The US investigation into the causes of the cracking has ruled out accidental damage caused by poor packaging or handling, as well as vandalism. The probe concluded that the high humidity in Taiwan, as well as the tremendous pressure exerted on the missiles from supersonic flight, were the principal causes of the problem.

However, the radomes on the French-made MICA and the domestically produced Tien Chien II “Sky Sword” — two other air-to-air missiles used by the Taiwanese air force — do not seem to have had similar problems, despite being exposed to the same climatic conditions, storage and rotation cycles.

According to information on Raytheon’s Web site, 36 countries worldwide have procured the AIM-120. The missile is also used on US aircraft carrier-based F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.

Missile fault blamed on humidity - Taipei Times


The probe concluded that the high humidity in Taiwan, as well as the tremendous pressure exerted on the missiles from supersonic flight, were the principal causes of the problem

Pakistan also has the same version AIM-120C. Well these missiles are designed to absorb high G's than how come the cracks can appear due to supersonic flights. I mean the aircraft has less ability to sustain Gs than the missile itself.

our aim-120s are located in dry heat areas - pl dont start a un-necessary controversey! in any case the manufacturer will most likely rectify the problem with the users.
 
AMERICAS, THE Date Posted: 28-Jun-2012


Pentagon to commence F-16 AESA competition



Marina Malenic - Aviation Reporter - Washington, DC



Key Points
•The US Air Force is planning to spend nearly USD2 billion on development, procurement and integration of avionics upgrades for some legacy F-16s.

•The effort to modernise the legacy fleet is part of USAF plans to mitigate for F-35 capability fielding delays
.



The US Air Force (USAF) has approved an acquisition strategy for a Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES) for the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon.


Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are developing radars that could fulfil a USAF requirement for a new F-16 AESA capability. (USAF)


The centrepiece of CAPES is a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, but it also includes a new centre display unit (CDU) and an ALQ-213 electronic warfare system.

According to documents obtained , the USAF has set an initial operational capability (IOC) date of 2018 for the upgrade in order to "mitigate F-35 capability fielding delays". The service has long been planning upgrades and service-life extensions to the legacy fleet due to setbacks in the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter programme.

The USAF plans to spend USD330.8 million developing CAPES over the next five years and another USD1.64 billion procuring and integrating the upgrades, according to an acquisition decision memorandum (ADM) issued on 13 June by the USAF. The funding outlined in the documents would cover an initial 300 aircraft.

In 2011 the USAF released a request for information (RfI) asking potential suppliers for options to upgrade radars on its later-model F-16s. The radar will probably be supplied by Northrop Grumman with its Scaleable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) or Raytheon with its Advanced Combat Radar (RACR).

Both systems have been in development for several years in anticipation of a USAF competition.

An AESA radar can detect objects much farther away than legacy mechanically scanned radars can. AESA radars also spread their signal emissions out across a band of frequencies, making them more difficult to detect over background noise, thereby allowing aircraft to broadcast radar signals while still remaining stealthy.

AESA radars are already in service on US Navy Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and on USAF Boeing F-15 Eagles and Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors.

According to the acquisition strategy, the CAPES procurement effort will begin in the coming months with an AESA competition.


could also be offered to foreign operators if successful!
 
Albeit, admittedly i tend to go for designer gear, but the PAF seems to have opted for designer infrastructure. Check out the stylish control tower, hangars and other related buildings at Shahbaz Air Base. :cool:

shahbaz_air_base_paf_squadrons.jpg


f-16_bock-52_shahbaz_air_base.jpg
 
Off course man.....presently serving as an Air Attache in Washington.

Last year or perhaps in 2010, there was a news, PAF Wing Commander Paracha died in aircraft crash. I must have confused him with that person
 
Albeit, admittedly i tend to go for designer gear, but the PAF seems to have opted for designer infrastructure. Check out the stylish control tower, hangars and other related buildings at Shahbaz Air Base. :cool:

shahbaz_air_base_paf_squadrons.jpg


f-16_bock-52_shahbaz_air_base.jpg
These were actually developed by Americans as they used the base, you can hardly find the same kind of infrastructure anywhere else.
 
These were actually developed by Americans as they used the base, you can hardly find the same kind of infrastructure anywhere else.

Some Karachi based company did the construction, remember seeing one of their brochure, they had one of the Shahbaz building as an example of their work.
 
Some Karachi based company did the construction, remember seeing one of their brochure, they had one of the Shahbaz building as an example of their work.
For civilan infrastructure, Yes. But dont you think the sophistication of hangers to the level of USAF would have been a work of a private construction firm? I remember some think tank noticing that hangers had temp controlling capability, and a lot of machinary and equipment was subsequently donated to Pakistan on evacuation.
 
Albeit, admittedly i tend to go for designer gear, but the PAF seems to have opted for designer infrastructure. Check out the stylish control tower, hangars and other related buildings at Shahbaz Air Base. :cool:

shahbaz_air_base_paf_squadrons.jpg


f-16_bock-52_shahbaz_air_base.jpg

A 100% U.S looks base. i think there more surprises than which are known to us.
 
For civilan infrastructure, Yes. But dont you think the sophistication of hangers to the level of USAF would have been a work of a private construction firm? I remember some think tank noticing that hangers had temp controlling capability, and a lot of machinary and equipment was subsequently donated to Pakistan on evacuation.

Supplied and fitted by "Captive Aire (Pakistan) Ltd. :pakistan:


Welcome To Captive Aire
 
Last year or perhaps in 2010, there was a news, PAF Wing Commander Paracha died in aircraft crash. I must have confused him with that person

Wing Commander Asim Paracha (98th GDP) has embraced Shahadat today during a normal routine flight,His Mirage crashed at a site in Balochistan,Namaz-e-Jinaza to commence at 1130 Hrs tomorrow at H-8 graveyard,Islamabad.

Dated. October 19, 2011

F-16 pilot is Group Captain Haseeb Paracha
 

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