F/A-18E/F To Get New Air Combat Sensor
Aviation Week and Space Technology
06/04/2007, page 30
"
The U.S. Navy wants to upgrade its F/A-18E/Fs with an infrared search-and-track system out of concern that increasingly sophisticated electronic jamming systems could thwart the fighter's radar system, leaving pilots "blinded" in air-to-air combat.
Although the service has been upgrading the fighter's radar, and the latest version (the APG-79 with active electronically scanned array) should have enhanced ability to nullify hostile jamming, Navy officials are worried about the proliferation of X-band electronic countermeasures systems, which could degrade radar performance. In particular, China's expansive spending on electronic warfare equipment is being carefully monitored. The service fears this build-up could compromise their own freedom to operate in the Pacific.
"
This can only be described as desperation - displacing a centreline fuel tank to add what all of the Russian jets have had for 30 years.
The ugly reality is that this still does not overcome basic airframe limitations, yet bites into combat endurance and provides another advantage to the Sukhois.
It this perhaps as the USN has finally noticed that the KNIIRTI Sorbstiya jamming pods can cross-eye jam their monopulse tracking modes?
Sorbstiya pods have been exported since the 1990s.
Dr Carlo Kopp, MIEEE, SMAIAA, PEng
Defence Analyst and Consulting Engineer
Editor: Air Power Australia @ http://www.ausairpower.net
|
