iscover
New Defensive Avionics for the F-111
0 comment
Raaf
The RAAF is at this time in the early phases of a major project to replace the now aging defensive avionic suite in the F-111 aircraft. The existing defensive avionic suite dates by design to the 1970s, and was optimised for defeating the Soviet IADS of the day. This equipment is however becoming dated technologically and this will, by the turn of the century, result in substantial maintainability and supportability problems. The existing defensive avionic suite is built around the Dalmo Victor (General Instrument) AN/ALR-62(V) radar warning receiver, the Sanders (Lockheed) AN/ALQ-94 and 137 defensive electronic countermeasures (ECM), an AN/ALE-28 chaff/flare dispenser and the Cincinnati AN/AAR-34 Infrared Tail Warning system. When penetrating hostile airspace, the ALR-62 is used to detect and identify threat emitters. Where these cannot be avoided, the ALQ-94 or 137 in the G-model are then used to jam the threat, which is typically the acquisition or fire control radar for a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) or Anti Aircraft Artillery (AAA) system. Approaching missiles in the tail quadrant are detected by the AAR-34 and decoyed with flares or chaff dispensed by the ALE-28 equipment. This suite is conventional by modern standards, but in its time was the most comprehensive of its kind to be deployed in a tactical aircraft. The fact that no USAF F-111E/F aircraft were lost to hostile fire during the Gulf War reflects very favourably, but we should not lose sight of the fact the Iraqis used largely 1970s generation Soviet AAA, SAM and acquisition radar systems, which the F-111 EW suite was specifically built to defeat.
Air5391
The RAAF’s AIR5391 project is aimed at replacing the existing defensive avionics, with a target Initial Operational Capability (IOC) around the end of the decade. AIR5391 will be split into several components, the eventual tender calling for the supply of a new Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Defensive ECM (DECM), Countermeasures Dispenser (CMDS) and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). The system is expected to be highly integrated, with all components tied to a dedicated Mil-Std-1553B databus, or if appropriate, a faster bus. Three components of the upgrade will be open to all bidders, these being the DECM, CMDS and MAWS. The RWR will most likely be the RAAF sponsored DSTO/AWADI ALR-2002 equipment. Understandably the RAAF is cautious about detailing the intended capabilities of the new defensive suite, but some aspects of the upgrade have been revealed to Australian Aviation. The new DECM will provide fore and aft coverage against pulse mode and continuous wave (CW) SAM, AAA and airborne threats, from C band through to J band. The CMDS is expected to be an intelligent reprogrammable system, with the capability to flexibly accommodate a wide range of expendables. The RAAF has not discussed its preferred expendables types, but it is reasonable to assume that these will include chaff, flares and expendable jammers. The MAWS will be either radar or optical, the RAAF has no preference in this respect. Indications are that potential bidders will be provided with a performance requirement for the equipment, and the bidders will be free to offer their preferred technical solution. It is worth noting that while radar based MAWS offer better detection and tracking performance, they are an active emitting device unlike optical MAWS which passively detect the heat and ultraviolet emissions of missile rocket motors. More complex dual mode MAWS will use passive optical techniques to detect an inbound missile threat, and then employ Doppler radar techniques to track it in bearing, elevation and range to provide optimal parameters for flare and chaff release.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
