Hi, The purpose of this thread is to discuss the various aspects of Airborne RADAR systems across the world. Feel free to contribute.
AAQ-13/AAQ-14 LANTIRN
The LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared System for Night) is a two-pod system fitted to F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
It can also be operated by any aircraft that has a MIL-STD-1553B digital databus/multiplexer. LANTIRN permits an aircraft to fly at very low levels at night or in limitedvisibility conditions and conduct attacks with no external targeting data provided.
Single-pilot operation is possible because of the high degree of automation and the integrated symbology. The pods are fitted under the engine intakes in both the F-15 and F-16. The AAQ-13 is the navigation pod. It is fitted with a Texas Instruments J-band Terrain-Following Radar (TFR) that can be set in any one of five radar modes: manual TFR flight at preset altitudes from 1,000 ft (305 m) to 100 ft (30.5 m); Very Low Clearance (VLC) mode; weather mode permitting TFR flight in rain or othervisible moisture; the Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) mode, designed to reduce detectability; and Electronic Counter- Countermeasures (ECCM) mode, which emphasizes immunity to ECM.
The navigational Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) has a selectable Field of View (FOV), using a wide, 6° FOV or the narrow, more precise 1.7° FOV. The FLIR can look into a turn or have its FOV offset 11° to either side for a "snap-look."
The AAQ-14 is the targeting pod and is also fitted with its own ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and pod control computer.
The nose section rolls to allow targeting by the gimballed FLIR and Litton Laser Systems Laser Designator Rangefinder (LDR) in a wide range of flight attitudes. The FLIR has a selectable FOV and is capable of precision pointing and automatic tracking of designated targets; space and weight provisions have been made for an automatic target recognition capability.
A typical night-attack mission uses the targeting pod first by displaying a wide FOV image on the pilot's Head-Down Display (HDD). He switches to a narrow FOV for magnification and activates on the LDR. A Hughes missile boresight correlator allows the pod's targeting data to be handed off automatically to the Maverick's seeker. The LDR is also used as a target marker for LGB and as a rangefinder for unguided, free-fall ordnance.
VARIANTS
Sharpshooter is the targeting pod without the IR missile boresight correlator that is used with the Maverick IR missile.
Pathfinder is the simplified FLIR pod for close-air support missions in night or adverse weather conditions. Main component is the steerable, navigational FLIR from LANTIRN with dual FOV. It can be integrated with any aircraft equipped with MIL-STD-1553B digital databus and stroke/raster HUD.
DEVELOPMENT
Development began in
1980 by Martin Marietta in Orlando, Florida. US Air Force flight tests began in 1983 and totaled over 2,800 hours by the end of 1988. Development of the targeting pods experienced delays due to inability to meet AF performance requirements. As a result, the targeting pods began production at a slower rate than the navigational pods.
The first production navigation pod was delivered in April 1987; delivery of the first production targeting pod was delayed until June 1988.
Sharpshooter pods have been exported to Israel and Pathfinders to Egypt.
Full LANTIRN outfits have been sold to the Turkish and South Korean air forces. LANTIRN II is an upgraded version of the LANTIRN in development since late 1989. LANTIRN II is designed to be located in the nose of the aircraft. The system's dual-aperture design combines the navigation and targeting capabilities, and the
system is guided by a headsteered helmet-mounted display.
COMBAT EXPERIENCE
LANTIRNs were deployed with the two squadrons of F-15Es that flew against Iraqi targets during Operation Desert Storm and were considered a great success. The combination of the aircraft's APG-70 radar, the navigation and targeting pods, and Paveway-series LGBs
resulted in very precise strikes against bridges, command and- control links, road networks, armored formations, airfields, and fixed and mobile Scud Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) sites by two-aircraft teams. These teams consisted of one aircraft flying with both the navigation and targeting pod and the other carrying only the navigation pod (because of targeting pod shortages).
Each aircraft carried eight GBU-12 500-lb (227-kg) LGBs; in some attacks, all 16 bombs were put on their targets, according to the Air Force. 72 F-16s carried only the navigation pod, which was credited with significantly expanding the aircraft's night and adverse-weather capability. According to the US Air Force, LANTIRN reliability on these aircraft was over 98%.
SPECIFICATIONS
LENGTH
navigation pod: 6 ft 6.2 in (1.99m)
targeting pod: 8 ft 2'/2 in (2.5 m)
DIAMETER
navigation pod: 12 in (305 mm)
targeting pod: 15 in (381 mm)
