PHOTOMETRIC STANDARDS
The candela-The standard candle has been redefined as the new candle or candela (cd). One candela is the luminous intensity of 1/60 of 1 of the projected area of a black body radiator operating at the temperature of the solidification of platinum (2045 K). The candela emits one lumen per steradian (1 lm sr-1).
Note that the luminous intensity emanating from a source with a spectral distribution that differs from that of the standard candle may be evaluated by using a sensor whose relative spectral response is identical to that standardized for photopic vision.
The lumen-The lumen (lm) is defined in. terms of the candela. The luminous flux per steradian from a source whose luminous intensity is 1 candela is 1 lumen.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Radar –what it was
Radar –what it was
Short (e.g. 50 ns) powerful pulses (up to 1 GW EIRP) to get range => signal BW up to 20 MHz
=> distance-resolution cell 150m (w/o FM)
Regular pulse patterns – purposeful chosen
Band spread techniques by FM (chirp)
LOS
Frequencies ~1 GHz .. 18 GHz (rarely to 40 GHz)
Frequency agility rarely used
TWT, e.g. average power 45W => 90 MW peek power
3' to 12' Antennas with 3dB width of 0.5 .. 2°
Short (e.g. 50 ns) powerful pulses (up to 1 GW EIRP) to get range => signal BW up to 20 MHz
=> distance-resolution cell 150m (w/o FM)
Regular pulse patterns – purposeful chosen
Band spread techniques by FM (chirp)
LOS
Frequencies ~1 GHz .. 18 GHz (rarely to 40 GHz)
Frequency agility rarely used
TWT, e.g. average power 45W => 90 MW peek power
3' to 12' Antennas with 3dB width of 0.5 .. 2°
Monday, July 2, 2012
Electronic Warfare
Electronic Warfare is definitely an ele- ment of combat power. It is a weapon, which can be used without being detected to bring destruction down upon enemy forces.
Electronic Warfare in itself, however, is non-lethal and can be utilized in many ways without endangering a single human life.
It is a source of essential planning and combat information regarding the disposition, firepower and intentions of the enemy forces. It provides a commander with a means for monitoring the activity on a area of operation and determining the effect of his tactics on en- emy forces.
It also provides the military commander with both covert and overt methods for dis-
rupting and suppressing the enemy's com- mand, control, communications and intelli- gence systems (C³I).
Electronic Warfare is also referred to as radio electronic combat. These terms are gen- erally accepted as including Electronic Sup- port Measures (ESM) and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) for use on the battlefield.
In addition, we include Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelli- gence (ELINT) in the overall term Electronic Warfare as well as Electronic Protection Measures (EPM); and the meaning of the term will be so used in this training.
Electronic Warfare in itself, however, is non-lethal and can be utilized in many ways without endangering a single human life.
It is a source of essential planning and combat information regarding the disposition, firepower and intentions of the enemy forces. It provides a commander with a means for monitoring the activity on a area of operation and determining the effect of his tactics on en- emy forces.
It also provides the military commander with both covert and overt methods for dis-
rupting and suppressing the enemy's com- mand, control, communications and intelli- gence systems (C³I).
Electronic Warfare is also referred to as radio electronic combat. These terms are gen- erally accepted as including Electronic Sup- port Measures (ESM) and Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) for use on the battlefield.
In addition, we include Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Electronic Intelli- gence (ELINT) in the overall term Electronic Warfare as well as Electronic Protection Measures (EPM); and the meaning of the term will be so used in this training.
IEDs
"Shampoo bottles, bicycle seats, tiffins. A plastic container or an LPG cylinder. A parcel of books. A clock, a teddy bear. In the Kashmir Valley, any one of these innocuous objects can be fatal. They are all commonly used by militants to fashion bombs and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). But the most lethal of all is the remote controlled explosive device, hidden in a ditch, a drainpipe or a parked vehicle."
- "Lethal Weapons", Indian Express Newspaper (Bombay), August 24, 2000
General
While terrorists will use conventional weapons, such as rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to achieve their goals, they also have the ability to assemble and employ a wide variety of lethal improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Explosives are a popular weapon with terrorists and are covered in the al Qaeda training manual. The manual states, "Explosives are believed to be the safest weapon for the Mujahideen. Using explosives allows them to get away from enemy personnel and to avoid being arrested." It goes on to say that, "In addition, explosives strike the enemy with sheer terror and fright." 183
IEDs are a common tool of terror used by non-state actors. These devices have been fabricated in an improvised manner and incorporate highly destructive lethal and dangerous explosives or incendiary chemicals, which are designed to kill or destroy the target. The materials required for these devices are often stolen or misappropriated from military or commercial blasting supplies, or made from fertilizer and other readily available household ingredients.184 IEDs basically include some type of explosive, fuse, detonators and wires,
shrapnel and pieces of metal, and a container to pack the explosives and shrapnel.
The use of IEDs by terrorists is a constant threat. Terrorist groups are continuously developing new techniques and tactics in response to defenses and countermeasures established by their opponents. They will disguise IEDs to hinder recognition and will often booby-trap the devices to detonate if disturbed.
The most simple of the IEDs used is the one initiated by closing of a battery circuit, similar to turning on a battery operated light. When turning on the switch closes the circuit, electricity flows to the light so it can be illuminated. As shown in Figure E-1, a clothespin- triggering device in this IED replaces the light switch and when it is activated, the electricity flows to the charge, thus detonating the explosive.
183 Ben N. Venzke and Aimee Ibrahim, Al Qaeda Tactic/Target Brief (Alexandria: IntelCenter/Tempest Publishing, 2002), 11.
184 Conventional Terrorist Weapons (New York: United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention,
2002), 4; available from http://www.undcp.org/odccp/terrorism_weapons_conventional.html; Internet; accessed 12 November 2002.
- "Lethal Weapons", Indian Express Newspaper (Bombay), August 24, 2000
General
While terrorists will use conventional weapons, such as rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles to achieve their goals, they also have the ability to assemble and employ a wide variety of lethal improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Explosives are a popular weapon with terrorists and are covered in the al Qaeda training manual. The manual states, "Explosives are believed to be the safest weapon for the Mujahideen. Using explosives allows them to get away from enemy personnel and to avoid being arrested." It goes on to say that, "In addition, explosives strike the enemy with sheer terror and fright." 183
IEDs are a common tool of terror used by non-state actors. These devices have been fabricated in an improvised manner and incorporate highly destructive lethal and dangerous explosives or incendiary chemicals, which are designed to kill or destroy the target. The materials required for these devices are often stolen or misappropriated from military or commercial blasting supplies, or made from fertilizer and other readily available household ingredients.184 IEDs basically include some type of explosive, fuse, detonators and wires,
shrapnel and pieces of metal, and a container to pack the explosives and shrapnel.
The use of IEDs by terrorists is a constant threat. Terrorist groups are continuously developing new techniques and tactics in response to defenses and countermeasures established by their opponents. They will disguise IEDs to hinder recognition and will often booby-trap the devices to detonate if disturbed.
The most simple of the IEDs used is the one initiated by closing of a battery circuit, similar to turning on a battery operated light. When turning on the switch closes the circuit, electricity flows to the light so it can be illuminated. As shown in Figure E-1, a clothespin- triggering device in this IED replaces the light switch and when it is activated, the electricity flows to the charge, thus detonating the explosive.
183 Ben N. Venzke and Aimee Ibrahim, Al Qaeda Tactic/Target Brief (Alexandria: IntelCenter/Tempest Publishing, 2002), 11.
184 Conventional Terrorist Weapons (New York: United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention,
2002), 4; available from http://www.undcp.org/odccp/terrorism_weapons_conventional.html; Internet; accessed 12 November 2002.
Cryptography
Nearly two thousand years ago, Julius Caesar sent hand written orders for an attack to several of his legions. The messages were hand carried by runner. One of the runners was subsequently captured but the enemy could not make any use of the message because they could not understand it. The enemy soldiers encouraged the runner to explain the meaning of the message, however he did not know its contents and subsequently died at the hands of his captors. All Caesar had done was transpose each letter in the message by a predetermined number of places and the message was therefore unintelligible. Caesar won a great victory that day and the era of encoded messages was born. Historically, this would appear to be the first use of codes on the battlefield and the process became known as the Caesar Code. It was only a matter of time however before all armies were using codes and the emphasis was then placed on code breaking.
Transposition codes of Caesar's type were used for more than two thousand years and became more sophisticated as time progressed but it has only been since the start of WW11 that machines have been used for encoding and encryption. Today, every developed country in the world uses a combination of encoding and encryption to protect sensitive information. It was not until the early 1970s however that civilian businesses began using encryption – up until then, it had been the sole purview of the military.
These days, we can buy encryption software for use on our own PCs to encrypt email to our friends or business colleagues, and large business houses such as the banks routinely use encryption to secure transaction details. The quality of the protection provided by encryption varies widely and is largely dependent on the type of encryption algorithm used as well as the length of the encryption key.
Transposition codes of Caesar's type were used for more than two thousand years and became more sophisticated as time progressed but it has only been since the start of WW11 that machines have been used for encoding and encryption. Today, every developed country in the world uses a combination of encoding and encryption to protect sensitive information. It was not until the early 1970s however that civilian businesses began using encryption – up until then, it had been the sole purview of the military.
These days, we can buy encryption software for use on our own PCs to encrypt email to our friends or business colleagues, and large business houses such as the banks routinely use encryption to secure transaction details. The quality of the protection provided by encryption varies widely and is largely dependent on the type of encryption algorithm used as well as the length of the encryption key.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Communication system history
1837 –Samuel Morse invented telegraph.
1858 –First telegraph cable across Atlantic (Canada – Ireland) 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell invented telephone.
1888 – Heinrich Hertz introduce electromagnetic field theory. 1897 – Marconi invented wireless telegraph.
1906 –Radio communication system was invented. 1923 –Television was invented.
1938 –Radar and microwave system was invented for World War II. 1950 –TDM was invented.
1956 –First telephone cable was installed across Atlantic. 1960 –Laser was invented
1962 – Satellite communication 1969 – Internet DARPA
1970 – Corning Glass invented optical fiber. 1975 – Digital telephone was introduced. 1985 – Facsimile machine.
1988 – Installation of fiber optic cable across Pacific and Atlantic. 1990 –World Wide Web and Digital Communication. 1998 – Digital Television.
1858 –First telegraph cable across Atlantic (Canada – Ireland) 1876 – Alexander Graham Bell invented telephone.
1888 – Heinrich Hertz introduce electromagnetic field theory. 1897 – Marconi invented wireless telegraph.
1906 –Radio communication system was invented. 1923 –Television was invented.
1938 –Radar and microwave system was invented for World War II. 1950 –TDM was invented.
1956 –First telephone cable was installed across Atlantic. 1960 –Laser was invented
1962 – Satellite communication 1969 – Internet DARPA
1970 – Corning Glass invented optical fiber. 1975 – Digital telephone was introduced. 1985 – Facsimile machine.
1988 – Installation of fiber optic cable across Pacific and Atlantic. 1990 –World Wide Web and Digital Communication. 1998 – Digital Television.
Vehicle-Protection Jammers (VPJs) against radio-controlled improvised explosive devices (`RCIEDs ´)
• Responsive VPJ (VPJ-R)
– With sufficiently fast reaction time upcoming RCIED-trigger signal can be detected and jammed before RCIED can be detonated
Advantages:
(i) Jamming signals are directly al located to potential trigger signals
(ii) Wide bands can be covered without excessive energy consumption
(iii) Even trigger signals at unexpected frequencies can be corrupted
Friday, June 29, 2012
The greatest threat to aircraft and helicopters comes from IR missiles.
The greatest threat to aircraft and helicopters comes from IR missiles. As these are not normally associated with radar guidance, aircrew get no warning of the impending danger unless they are lucky enough to either see the weapon being launched or in flight. The proliferation of IR missiles is high, if we look only at shoulder launched 'Manpad' systems the most numerous is the SA-7 with many hundreds of thousands having been produced. The US Stinger has been sold in numbers approaching 50,000 while the French Mistraal numbers 12,000 to 18 different countries. The following examples give an indication as to the success of passively guided IR weapons:
During 1977 to 1985 905 of all loses were to IR guided weapons. 4.4% were to radar guided weapons.
During the Gulf War 78% of all loses were to IR weapons.
Over the last 20 years only 10% of aircraft have been shot down by radar guided weapons.
During 1977 to 1985 905 of all loses were to IR guided weapons. 4.4% were to radar guided weapons.
During the Gulf War 78% of all loses were to IR weapons.
Over the last 20 years only 10% of aircraft have been shot down by radar guided weapons.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 6, 2012
Protecting Anti-Jamming Technology
Protecting Anti-Jamming Technology
April 2, 2012: The U.S. and Britain are having a rather heated but hushed argument over whether British developed smart bombs with American anti-jamming technology should be exported to Saudi Arabia. The smart bomb in question is the Paveway IV, which is a dual guidance (laser/GPS) kit that is attached to an unguided bomb. The 50.5 kg (111 pound) Paveway kit contains guidance electronics, computers, and battery powered winglets. But to work the carrying aircraft must have a fire control system that enables the pilot to get the GPS data (received from troops on the ground) into the Paveway IV equipped bomb.
The Paveway IV system is actually a guidance kit that, once attached to a one ton, half ton, or quarter ton bomb, can achieve precise (within a meter or less) accuracy using a laser designator, or use GPS guidance to land within ten meters (31 feet) of the aiming point. The U.S. firm that manufactures the Paveway bombs, Raytheon, has produced over 250,000 kits so far, of which about twenty percent have been used in combat with great success.
Earlier versions of Paveway did not have GPS. Most just only had laser guidance. While more accurate, laser guidance requires that someone on the ground or in the air be shining a laser on the target. The Paveway then homes in on the reflected laser light (of a particular frequency). GPS guided bombs can hit the target under bad weather conditions and only have to worry about jamming of the GPS satellite signal.
The Paveway IV was developed in Britain and is not used by the U.S. Air Force or Navy. In the U.S. JDAM and other GPS-only weapons are much more popular. The U.S. has taken the lead in developing jamming-resistant GPS systems for smart bombs and apparently does not want to risk someone in Saudi Arabia paying a large bribe to get hold of the American anti-jamming technology. The Saudis are very upset about this, but corruption is quite widespread through the region, not just in Saudi Arabia. If a potential enemy got access to details of the anti-jamming technology they could more easily develop techniques to defeat it.
From: http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20120402.aspx
Friday, March 30, 2012
Vietnam Builds A UAV Factory
Vietnam Builds A UAV Factory
March 29, 2012: A Russian UAV manufacturer is helping Vietnam design and build a new, 100 kg (220 pound) UAV for civilian (and later military) use. This UAV will probably be a smaller version of the Irkut 200, which is itself still in development. The Irkut 200 is a 200 kg (440 pound) aircraft with a 50 kg (110 pound) payload and 12 hours endurance. The radio link can control the UAV up to 200 kilometers from the operator. Cruising speed is 140 kilometers an hour. The 200 can fly up to 5,000 meters (15,500 feet) but it normally operates at 500 meters (1,550 feet). The Irkut 200 has a wingspan of 5.34 meters (16.5 feet) and is 4.53 meters (14 feet long). It lands and takes off like an aircraft and can do so on 250 meters (775 feet) of straight road.
The technology transfer and assistance deal will cost Vietnam $10 million. Irkut already has a similar deal with Belarus, where the Irkut 10 (an 8.5 kg/18.7 pound) is built.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Turkey Exports UAVs
Turkey Exports UAVs
March 19, 2012: Qatar has become the first export customer for the Turkish Bayraktar Tactical UAV. This is a 450 kg (990 pound) aircraft with an endurance of ten hours. It enters service this year. The price for ten Bayraktars Tactical UAVs sold to Qatar was reported to be $25 million.
There is also a Bayraktar Mini UAV which is a 4.6 kg (9.9 pound) aircraft that is battery powered and hand launched. Endurance is 60 minutes and the Bayraktar can operate up to 15 kilometers from the operator. The Turkish Army has been using the Bayraktar Mini for the last six years.
Another Turkish firm has produced the Anka UAV. Looking very similar to the American Predator, the Anka is a 1.5 ton aircraft propelled by a rear facing propeller. Payload is 200 kg (440 pounds) and endurance is 24 hours. A UAV like this would sell for over $2 million each. The Turkish Army is to receive its first Anka this year.
Turkey's government has been booming during the last decade, as a new government made good on its pledge to crack down on the corruption that had long crippled the economy. As the economy grew the government sought to make Turkey more self-sufficient in military equipment.
March 19, 2012: Qatar has become the first export customer for the Turkish Bayraktar Tactical UAV. This is a 450 kg (990 pound) aircraft with an endurance of ten hours. It enters service this year. The price for ten Bayraktars Tactical UAVs sold to Qatar was reported to be $25 million.
There is also a Bayraktar Mini UAV which is a 4.6 kg (9.9 pound) aircraft that is battery powered and hand launched. Endurance is 60 minutes and the Bayraktar can operate up to 15 kilometers from the operator. The Turkish Army has been using the Bayraktar Mini for the last six years.
Another Turkish firm has produced the Anka UAV. Looking very similar to the American Predator, the Anka is a 1.5 ton aircraft propelled by a rear facing propeller. Payload is 200 kg (440 pounds) and endurance is 24 hours. A UAV like this would sell for over $2 million each. The Turkish Army is to receive its first Anka this year.
Turkey's government has been booming during the last decade, as a new government made good on its pledge to crack down on the corruption that had long crippled the economy. As the economy grew the government sought to make Turkey more self-sufficient in military equipment.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Israel Faces The C Music
Israel Faces The C Music
March 7, 2012: Israel has ordered two local airliners to stop using ATR 72 and ATR 42 twin prop transports because these models are too small to be fitted with anti-missile defenses that all Israeli air liners are equipped with. The ATR 72 is a 22 ton transport, while its predecessor, the ATR 42 is a very similar looking 18 ton aircraft. About a thousand of these aircraft have been built in the last three decades and most are still in service.
Israel is speeding up equipping its airliners with anti-missile systems. The recent collapse of the Kaddafi dictatorship in Libya allowed several Libyan arms depots to be looted, and Israel believes arms smugglers have moved shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles to Gaza and sold them to Hamas (who would use them against Israeli aircraft). Military aircraft already have anti-missile defenses (which detect the launch of the missile then blinds its guidance system with a laser).
For its civilian airliners Israel is using the locally made C Music system. A typical airliner missile defense system has two components. First, there are six or more ultraviolet detection sensors (weighing 3-4 kg/6-9 pounds each) mounted on different parts of the aircraft to detect an approaching missile. These sensors are linked to a 3-5 kg (7-11 pound) computer that contains software for determining that the object is indeed a missile and where it is headed. The detection computer is hooked to a countermeasures system that uses a laser to confuse the missiles guidance system (that is homing in the heat of the aircraft's engines). The C-Music system weighs 50 kg (110 pounds).
March 7, 2012: Israel has ordered two local airliners to stop using ATR 72 and ATR 42 twin prop transports because these models are too small to be fitted with anti-missile defenses that all Israeli air liners are equipped with. The ATR 72 is a 22 ton transport, while its predecessor, the ATR 42 is a very similar looking 18 ton aircraft. About a thousand of these aircraft have been built in the last three decades and most are still in service.
Israel is speeding up equipping its airliners with anti-missile systems. The recent collapse of the Kaddafi dictatorship in Libya allowed several Libyan arms depots to be looted, and Israel believes arms smugglers have moved shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles to Gaza and sold them to Hamas (who would use them against Israeli aircraft). Military aircraft already have anti-missile defenses (which detect the launch of the missile then blinds its guidance system with a laser).
For its civilian airliners Israel is using the locally made C Music system. A typical airliner missile defense system has two components. First, there are six or more ultraviolet detection sensors (weighing 3-4 kg/6-9 pounds each) mounted on different parts of the aircraft to detect an approaching missile. These sensors are linked to a 3-5 kg (7-11 pound) computer that contains software for determining that the object is indeed a missile and where it is headed. The detection computer is hooked to a countermeasures system that uses a laser to confuse the missiles guidance system (that is homing in the heat of the aircraft's engines). The C-Music system weighs 50 kg (110 pounds).
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Poland Upgrades Its F-16 Weapons
Poland Upgrades Its F-16 Weapons
February 14, 2012: Poland is upgrading the armament of its 48 F-16 fighters by purchasing $447 million worth of American missiles and smart bombs. The deal includes 93 AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II heat seeking air-to-air missiles, Sidewinder Air Training Missiles (with no warhead or rocket motor), 65 AIM-120C-7 radar guided air-to-air AMRAAM missiles, 42 GBU-49 227 kg (500 pound) Paveway II bombs (dual GPS/laser guidance), 200 JDAM dual GPS/laser guidance bomb kits, 127 MK-82 227 kg bombs, 642 BLU-111 bunker buster 227 kg bombs, 80 BLU-117 bunker buster 909 kg (2,000 pound) bombs and four MK-84 Inert 909 kg training bombs (each with a smoke spotting charge inert weights instead of explosives.) Several other items of bombing training equipment are included in the deal, as well as five years of support.
From:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htairw/articles/20120214.aspx
Friday, February 10, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Brown Out Beaten
Brown Out Beaten
February 1, 2012: The U.S. Army is equipping ten of its UH-60 helicopters in Afghanistan with a new 3-D radar. The HALS (Helicopter Autonomous Landing System) weighs 45 kg (99 pounds) and gives the pilots a 3-D picture of what's in front of the helicopter, no matter what actual visibility is. Snow, dust, sand, fog, and night can all hide small obstacles (especially wires or poles) that can cause a crash as a helicopter is taking off or landing. In the last decade about 20 percent of army helicopter crashes have been caused by storms because the pilots could not see obstacles. In Iraq, the most common danger was "brown out" (sand storm). Fog and, in Afghanistan, snow only add to the problem.
HALS has been in development for nearly a decade and has been undergoing testing for the last four years. The ten helicopters being equipped with HALS in Afghanistan are carrying out the first sustained test of the system under combat conditions.
The manufacturer is also developing a version of HALS for use in UAVs.
From:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20120201.aspx
February 1, 2012: The U.S. Army is equipping ten of its UH-60 helicopters in Afghanistan with a new 3-D radar. The HALS (Helicopter Autonomous Landing System) weighs 45 kg (99 pounds) and gives the pilots a 3-D picture of what's in front of the helicopter, no matter what actual visibility is. Snow, dust, sand, fog, and night can all hide small obstacles (especially wires or poles) that can cause a crash as a helicopter is taking off or landing. In the last decade about 20 percent of army helicopter crashes have been caused by storms because the pilots could not see obstacles. In Iraq, the most common danger was "brown out" (sand storm). Fog and, in Afghanistan, snow only add to the problem.
HALS has been in development for nearly a decade and has been undergoing testing for the last four years. The ten helicopters being equipped with HALS in Afghanistan are carrying out the first sustained test of the system under combat conditions.
The manufacturer is also developing a version of HALS for use in UAVs.
From:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20120201.aspx
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
AWACSki Enters The 21st Century
AWACSki Enters The 21st Century
January 28, 2012: Russia has upgraded its A-50 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) and the first of these A-50Us recently entered service. The A-50 AWACS entered service in 1984 and 40 were built by the time the Cold War ended. In the 1990s most of the A-50s didn't fly much at all. The A-50 is based on the Il-76 transport. After over a decade of development the A-50 became a growing presence in Russian air operations during the 1980s.
The inspiration for the A-50 was the U.S. Air Force E-3 AWACS, which entered service in 1977. This was a continuation of AWACS development that began in 1944. The first AWACS appeared in 1945, when the U.S. Navy deployed radar equipped aircraft to control large numbers of airborne warplanes in combat. The Navy continued developing airborne early warning and control aircraft in the 1950s (the E-1) and replaced it with the E-2 in the early 1970s. This one is still in service.
The A-50 used less capable technology than the U.S. AWACS. The A-50 radar only had a range 200 kilometers, compared to 400 for the E-3. The A-50 upgrade uses modern (digital, rather than analog) systems and has a max range of 600 kilometers. The new computers allow far more (150) aircraft to be tracked and this is done more quickly and with fewer equipment breakdowns. The A-50U can control ten warplanes at a time, while these aircraft perform air-to-air or ground attack missions. The upgrade was actually underway when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and has been dormant until money became available to revive it four years ago.
China bought some of the older A-50s and was so dissatisfied that they switched to a new AWACS design based on the Boeing 737-800 airliner. The 157 ton Il-76 jet is considered less reliable and more expensive to maintain than the twin engine, 79 ton, Boeing 737-800. Chinese airlines (some of them controlled by the Chinese Air Force) have been using the 737-800 since 1999 (a year after this model entered service). So no matter how much Russia upgrades the A-50 they are still stuck with an expensive aircraft to carry everything around.
Article From:
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htecm/articles/20120128.aspx
Saturday, January 28, 2012
AIDEWS For Nearly Everyone
AIDEWS For Nearly Everyone
January 26, 2012: so far, nearly 200 of the American ALQ-211 AIDEWS (Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite) pods have been sold to six foreign customers. Most use it for their F-16 fighters. The ALQ-211 allows the aircraft to detect radar, jamming, and laser signals hitting the aircraft, as well as the presence of chemical weapons. ALQ-211 also provides some jamming of its own and assistance on where the signal is coming from, so the pilot can move the aircraft away from the threat. ALQ-211 is also installed in helicopters but not as a pod. Rather, the individual components are installed in the helicopter where space is available.
The ALQ-211 has been in service for a decade and there have been several upgrades and variants. Foreign customers do not get an ALQ-211 with the same capabilities that American aircraft receive. Components of ALQ-211 are programmable, so that the system can quickly be updated for newly discovered enemy equipment. The pod version, the ALQ-211(V)9 (version 9), costs about $3.5 million each.
January 26, 2012: so far, nearly 200 of the American ALQ-211 AIDEWS (Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suite) pods have been sold to six foreign customers. Most use it for their F-16 fighters. The ALQ-211 allows the aircraft to detect radar, jamming, and laser signals hitting the aircraft, as well as the presence of chemical weapons. ALQ-211 also provides some jamming of its own and assistance on where the signal is coming from, so the pilot can move the aircraft away from the threat. ALQ-211 is also installed in helicopters but not as a pod. Rather, the individual components are installed in the helicopter where space is available.
The ALQ-211 has been in service for a decade and there have been several upgrades and variants. Foreign customers do not get an ALQ-211 with the same capabilities that American aircraft receive. Components of ALQ-211 are programmable, so that the system can quickly be updated for newly discovered enemy equipment. The pod version, the ALQ-211(V)9 (version 9), costs about $3.5 million each.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
MICA Reaches Out
MICA Reaches Out
January 12, 2012: India has ordered 500 French MICA long range (80 kilometers) radar guided missiles for its 51 French Mirage 200 fighters. The 112 kg (247 pound) MICA costs about $700,000 each and is similar to the U.S. AMRAAM.
India is upgrading its Mirage 2000 fighters, at a cost of $35 million each, so they can handle the MICA. The aircraft are getting new radar and fire control systems, as well as modern electronic warfare systems and digital communications. Other components (like the airframe and engines) would also be refurbished. After the upgrade, the twenty year old Mirage 2000s would be good for another twenty. While expensive, the upgrade would turn the Mirage 2000 fighters into long range air-to-air killers. These aircraft could very efficiently knock down their Pakistani or Chinese opponents (which are equipped with less capable Chinese FD-60 long range missiles).
January 12, 2012: India has ordered 500 French MICA long range (80 kilometers) radar guided missiles for its 51 French Mirage 200 fighters. The 112 kg (247 pound) MICA costs about $700,000 each and is similar to the U.S. AMRAAM.
India is upgrading its Mirage 2000 fighters, at a cost of $35 million each, so they can handle the MICA. The aircraft are getting new radar and fire control systems, as well as modern electronic warfare systems and digital communications. Other components (like the airframe and engines) would also be refurbished. After the upgrade, the twenty year old Mirage 2000s would be good for another twenty. While expensive, the upgrade would turn the Mirage 2000 fighters into long range air-to-air killers. These aircraft could very efficiently knock down their Pakistani or Chinese opponents (which are equipped with less capable Chinese FD-60 long range missiles).
Monday, January 9, 2012
Roll On Knowledge
Roll On Knowledge
January 4, 2012: The U.S. Air Force has taken a U.S. Marine Corps idea for an "instant gunship" and developed an "instant reconnaissance aircraft" along the same lines. The "instant gunship" is known as "Harvest Hawk" and it's a system that enables weapons and sensors to be quickly rolled into a C-130 transport and hooked up. This takes a few hours, and turns the C-130 into a gunship (similar in capabilities existing AC-130 gunships). The sensor package consists of day/night vidcams with magnification capability. The weapons currently consist of ten Griffin missiles and four Hellfires. These are lightweight missiles, so more can be carried.
The "instant reconnaissance aircraft" is known as "Senior Scout" and it quickly equips a C-130 with equipment that enables the transport to collect visual and electronic data from areas it flies over. On the larger C-130J, this leaves room for the aircraft to carry passengers and cargo as well as Senior Scout. This means that a C-130J that regularly makes trips between two bases, can just as regularly carry out surveillance on the ground below. The route the C-130J follows on these cargo runs can be modified a bit to suit intelligence needs on the ground.
Harvest Hawk enables marine KC-130J tankers to be transformed into gunships with the addition of the portable weapons and sensors. The marines had long noted the success of the U.S. Air Force AC-130 gunships that SOCOM (Special Operations Command) uses. But they couldn't afford them, as an AC-130 costs more than three times as much as a marine KC-130J aerial refueling aircraft. But the marines developed a solution. This is something the marines often do.
The KC-130J is the latest, and largest, USMC version of the C-130 transport used for aerial refueling. The KC-130J can also carry cargo, and weapons (bombs and missiles) hung from the wings; thus the Harvest Hawk version of the KC-130J.
The big thing with gunships is their sensors, not their weapons. Operating at night, the gunships can see what is going on below, in great detail. Using onboard weapons, gunships can immediately engage targets. But with the appearance of smart bombs (GPS and laser guided), aerial weapons are more available to hit any target that is found. So Harvest Hawk would be able to hit targets that were "time sensitive" (had to be hit before they got away), but could also call on smart bombs or laser guided missiles for targets that weren't going anywhere right away. Most of what Harvest Hawk does in Afghanistan is look for roadside bombs, or the guys who plant them. These marines want to track back to their base, and then take out an entire roadside bomb operation.
Ultimately, the air force and SOCOM saw the potential for the Harvest Hawk approach replacing custom built AC-130 gunships. There would still be a need for specially trained gunship crews. But they, and the several cargo containers of Harvest Hawk gear, could be held ready to go wherever they are most needed. SOCOM will be using their version of Harvest Hawk (the Precision Strike Package) in their MC-130 transports (which are already equipped for all-weather operations.)
The success of Harvest Hawk has got the air force considering other "ro/ro" (roll on/roll off) applications, thus saving the cost of custom aircraft for many jobs, and providing more opportunities to use specialized aircraft.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Unstoppable Carl GustavJ
The Unstoppable Carl Gustav
January 1, 2012: After two decades of resisting calls from the troops for the Swedish 84mm Carl Gustav portable recoilless rifle, the U.S. Army has relented and ordered about a hundred Carl Gustav launchers. After watching U.S. Army Special Forces use this weapon in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last decade, the army brass reconsidered. This weapon has been around for over 60 years and is used by several dozen countries. It is simple but very effective.
The Carl Gustav was adopted by SOCOM (first for the Ranger Regiment) in 1990. The Carl Gustav is basically a lightweight 8.5 kg (19 pound) recoilless rifle. It is 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) long. The barrel is rifled and good for about a hundred rounds. Range is 500-700 meters (depending on the type of round fired). The 84mm projectiles weigh about 2 kg (4.4 pounds) each and come in several different types (anti-armor, combined anti-armor/high explosive, illumination, and smoke.) The anti-armor round is very useful in urban areas and against bunkers.
The army had earlier adopted the single shot version of the Carl Gustav (as the AT4), but the Special Forces showed that the Carl Gustav is better because you get more shots for less weight (the AT4 weighs about 6.8 kg each). It's easier to carry one Carl Gustav, at 8.5 kg, and a bunch of rocket propelled shells at about 2.2 kg (5 pounds, with packaging) each.
January 1, 2012: After two decades of resisting calls from the troops for the Swedish 84mm Carl Gustav portable recoilless rifle, the U.S. Army has relented and ordered about a hundred Carl Gustav launchers. After watching U.S. Army Special Forces use this weapon in Afghanistan and Iraq for the last decade, the army brass reconsidered. This weapon has been around for over 60 years and is used by several dozen countries. It is simple but very effective.
The Carl Gustav was adopted by SOCOM (first for the Ranger Regiment) in 1990. The Carl Gustav is basically a lightweight 8.5 kg (19 pound) recoilless rifle. It is 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) long. The barrel is rifled and good for about a hundred rounds. Range is 500-700 meters (depending on the type of round fired). The 84mm projectiles weigh about 2 kg (4.4 pounds) each and come in several different types (anti-armor, combined anti-armor/high explosive, illumination, and smoke.) The anti-armor round is very useful in urban areas and against bunkers.
The army had earlier adopted the single shot version of the Carl Gustav (as the AT4), but the Special Forces showed that the Carl Gustav is better because you get more shots for less weight (the AT4 weighs about 6.8 kg each). It's easier to carry one Carl Gustav, at 8.5 kg, and a bunch of rocket propelled shells at about 2.2 kg (5 pounds, with packaging) each.
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