F-15SE Silent Eagle is an upgraded version of the F-15 Strike Eagle aircraft, being developed by Boeing for international customers. The F-15SE features an innovative design which reduces its radar cross section. A prototype of the F-15SE Silent Eagle aircraft was first unveiled in March 2009. The F-15SE flight demonstrator aircraft, F-15E1, completed its maiden flight in July 2010.
F-15E ‘Strike’ Eagle: Details
F-15SE Silent Eagle design
F-15SE is 63.6ft (19.4m) long, 18.5ft (5.6m) high and has a wingspan of 42.8ft (13m). The basic design of the F-15SE is similar to that of the F-15 Strike Eagle aircraft with new components added. The new components include the conformal weapons bay (CWB) instead of the standard conformal fuel tanks.
The CWB significantly increases the internal carriage capacity of the aircraft and also reduces its radar signature. Two additional weapons stations have been included to enable the aircraft to carry an additional four air-to-air missiles.
The Silent Eagle also features twin vertical tails canted 15° outward. Canted tails provide rear lift to the aircraft and reduce ballast usage, while increasing the range by 75 to 100 nautical miles. Coatings will also be applied to various areas of the aircraft to minimise the radar signature.
Canted Tail Fins
Twin vertical tails canted 15° outward
The Strike Eagles tails are canted outward by 15 degrees which decreases RCS in A/A engagements. The outward cant also improves aerodynamic efficiency and generates extra lift. The canting also allows airframe weight to be reduced by removing 400-500 lbs of ballast weight from the forward section of the aircraft. Source onfinalofficial.wordpress.com
The F-15SE has also been designed to function as a non-stealthy, multirole aircraft. The CWBs can be removed and the aircraft can be reconfigured to include conformal fuel tanks based on mission requirements.
Conformal fuel tanks
F-15SE Silent Eagle development programme
Boeing commenced development of the F-15SE as an evolution to the F-15 family of aircraft. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Korea Aerospace Industries in November 2010 for development of the F-15SE’s CWB.
F-15 Silent Eagle: Why South Korea rejected this jet: Here
Excerpt
Boeing’s F-15 Silent Eagle had been in the box seat to win the 8.3 trillion won ($7.7 billion) tender – as the only bid to fall within budget – but former military top brass and even the ruling party’s lawmakers had criticized the plane as it lacked crucial stealth capabilities.
F-15K: Details
F-15K / Bruce Smith
Boeing successfully completed the weapons launch from the left CWB of the F-15E1 flight demonstrator aircraft in November 2010. The F-15E1 launched an inert AIM-120 demonstrating the aircraft’s ability to deploy a missile in flight.
F-15E1 flight demonstrator
F-15E1 flight demonstrator aircraft
The Boeing company completed the first flight of the F-15SE ‘Silent Eagle’ flight demonstrator on July 8, 2010. The aircraft, designated F-15E1 took off from the Lambert St. Louis International Airport on an 80-minute flight, where the aircraft opened and closed its left-side Conformal Weapons Bay, which contained an AIM-120 Instrumented Test Vehicle (ITV) missile. “[In this flight] we cleared the desired flight envelope needed to fire the missile at the test range” said Boeing F-15 Chief Test Pilot Dan Draeger. According to Boeing F-15 Development Programs Director Brad Jones, in the next couple of weeks, the F-15E1 will be ferry to a test range to launch an AIM-120.
Key to the F-15SE design is the conformal weapons bays, designed for the F-15SE. This new add-on module was originally designed specifically for the F-15SE but could also be available for other F-15 models, particularly interesting is the F-15E, I K, S and S (F-15E models operated by Israel, South Korea, Saudi-Arabia and Singapore) already operating F-15s with conformal tanks.
F-15SE conformal weapons bays
The Silent Eagle was developed in response to South Korea’s requirements for high-performance, stealth capable fighter aircraft. The F-15SE offers unique aerodynamic, avionic and Radar Cross Section reduction features that provide maximum flexibility in air dominance as it can be operated with and without stealth capabilities. Boeing is offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.
According to UPI, Boeing is hoping to win an export license to sell its new F-15 Silent Eagle to South Korea within a month. South Korea has a requirement for a third batch of 60 F-15 size fighters, due next year. Boeing could be offering the F-15SE with customizable fighter that can be outfitted with AESA radars, radar absorbent coatings, large digital cockpit displays, fly-by-wire software, canted tails and bolt-on internal weapons bays.
Source defense-update.com
Wind tunnel tests on the CWB of the Silent Eagle were completed in June 2012. A scale model of the aircraft was used to test aerodynamics of the CWB design.
A scale model of the aircraft was used to conduct the wind tunnel tests – Image: airforce-technology.com
Boeing has offered the aircraft for the F-X III competition launched by South Korea’s Defense Acquisition and Procurement Agency to procure 60 new fighter aircraft for the Republic of Korea Air Force. The F-15SE is competing for the $7.3bn order with the Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed Martin’s F-35.
The three companies submitted their formal bids in June 2012. South Korea was scheduled to decide the winner of the competition in October 2012 but the decision has now been postponed to mid-2013.
New orders from Saudi Arabia and Japan are also the driving forces behind the development of the next generation of F-15 aircraft. The development cost of F-15SE is estimated at $100m each. Boeing plans to offer the aircraft to five foreign customers with an estimated market for 190 orders. Flight testing of the F-15SE is expected to be carried out in 2013.
Royal Saudi Air Force F-15SA: Here
Excerpt
Boeing Defense presented the first F-15SA destined for Saudi Arabia in a ceremony at its St. Louis headquarters on April 30. The latest F-15 variant is the centerpiece of the largest foreign military sale in U.S. history, worth $29.4 billion. It also figured prominently in recent U.S. negotiations to improve the military capabilities of Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia simultaneously.
Aircraft engines, cockpit and avionics
The F-15SE will be fitted with two General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofan engines providing thrust of 29,000lbs or two Pratt & Whitney F 100-PW-229 engines providing thrust of 29,000lbs.
General Electric F110-GE-129
Manufacturer: General Electric Co.
Thrust: F110-GE-129: 29,500 pounds; F110-GE-132: 32,000 pounds
Overall Pressure Ratio at Maximum Power: F110-GE-129: 30.7; F110-GE-132: 33.3
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: F110-GE-129: 7.29; F110-GE-132: 7.90
Compressor: Two spool, axial flow, three-stage fan
LP-HP Compressor Stages: 0-9
HP-LP Turbine Stages: 1-2
Combustor Type: Annular
Length: 182.3 in (4.63 m)
Diameter: 46.5 in (118 cm)
Dry Weight: F110-GE-129: 3,980 lbs (1,805 kg); F110-GE-132: 4,050 lbs (1,837 kg)
Platforms: F-16 Fighting Falcon; F-14 (retired); F-15K Slam Eagle; F-15SA; F-15SG; F-2
Source fi-powerweb.com
Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229
Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-229 [Graphic by Pratt & Whitney]
Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney (United Technologies)
Thrust: 17,800 pounds dry thrust; 29,160 pounds with afterburner
Overall Pressure Ratio at Maximum Power: 32
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio: 7.6
Bypass Ratio: 0.36
Compressor: Two spool, axial flow, three-stage fan
LP-HP Compressor Stages: 0-10
HP-LP Turbine Stages: 2-2
Combustor Type: Annular
Length: 191 in (4.85 m)
Engine Control: FADEC
Diameter: 46.5 in (1.18 m)
Dry Weight: 3,836 lbs (1,744 kg)
Platforms: F-15E Strike Eagle; F-16 Fighting Falcon
Source fi-powerweb.com
F-15C / Ashley Townsend Photography
The F-15SE will feature next-generation Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System produced by Vision Systems International, Elbit 11in x 19in Large Area Display (LAD) system on the front and rear cockpits, digital fly-by-wire flight control system, Link-16 Fighter Data Link and infrared search and track (IRST) system.
JHMCS II
In 2015, Boeing released a video that confirmed at least one of the Palmdale test aircraft (12-1003 – note the serial on the ejection seat) has been employed to trial the new Digital Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (DJHMCS) on the F-15. Boeing Test and Evaluation chief F-15 test pilot Dan ‘Dragon’ Draeger and a ‘USAF Weapons Systems Officer’ were depicted wearing the new helmets for a ‘first evaluation flight’ at Palmdale recently. The new digital JHMCS uses LED technology for ‘greater reliability and visual acuity’, according to the news release. ‘You don’t have to use high voltage in order to drive the new Light Emitting Diode display which improves maintenance reliability significantly,’ says Greg Hardy, Boeing manager, TACAIR Advanced Display Systems. ‘Couple this technology with a sharper image and improved day and night capabilities using color projected video and symbology and a better balanced helmet, and you have an advanced targeting solution that is more reliable and less fatiguing for pilots to wear.’
The DJHMCS is part of the new JHMCS II product line and it is touted as ‘an economical but significant upgrade’ that features ‘all new’ aspects of JHMCS II, but is aimed as a retrofit for existing JHMCS-capable platforms and crucially it incorporates a new night capability.
Many of these new features were planned as part of the stealthy F-15SE Silent Eagle, which failed to attract direct interest from new customers. Indeed, Silent Eagle enhancements may never be fully realized as Boeing was largely relying on customer support to bring these to reality and the loss in South Korea effectively put paid to the key stealthy improvements. The conformal weapons bays (CWBs) were, for example, part of the industrial offset with Korean industry. The CWBs had two doors and two weapon mounts, the upper, side-opening door carrying a rail launcher for an AIM-120 AMRAAM or an AIM-9-type missile, or a launcher for a single 500lb or 1,000lb bomb or two Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs). The lower door accommodated a trapeze-plus-ejector mount for an AIM-120, or for a single 500lb or 1,000lb bomb or two SDBs. The CWBs would also accommodate a small amount of fuel. Having funded an initial test period, including firing an AIM-120 from the CWB in July 2010, Boeing was ready to develop a number of the Silent Eagle options with customer support as prospective buyers came forward.
Although Seoul opted for the F-35, the Saudi deal paved the way for some of the less noticeable elements of the Silent Eagle to come to fruition, notably the advanced cockpit, DFBW, and DEWS. Various elements that have been taken up by Boeing’s export customers over the past decade are now on the table to be offered as upgrades for other existing F-15 customers — including the USAF. Indeed, Boeing is emphasizing the increased weapon carriage offered by the F-15SA as the DFBW opens up the new outer wing stations 1 and 9. However, the handling implications of these outer stations predude non-DFBW Eagles from utilizing them. Source combataircraft.net
- More Intelligent
- More Capable
- More Affordable
Both Digital JHMCS and JHMCS II share common design attributes that are new and improved over classic JHMCS. Both include new features and benefits that reinforce our market leadership standing.
First
JHMCS was first in the market, first in combat. And now, the JHMCS II product line is the worlds first high definition HMD using smart-visor technology that operates in both day and night mode.
Affordable
- The JHMCS II product line (both Digital JHMCS and JHMCS II) is based on the combat proven JHMCS and is now more affordable
- Both are priced to meet a broad range of market needs including reduced budget upgrades and new starts
Improved
- JHMCS II product line takes advantage of pioneering technology
- Digital image source replaces JHMCS Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
- No high voltage requirements
- Reduced routine maintenance
- Improved center of gravity provides greater pilot comfort, especially with NVGs
- No visor trimming
- Helmet borne electronics
- Virtual HUD option
- Embedded virtual training compatible
- Pilot Health Monitoring including hypoxia and G-LOC detection and warning
- Early pilot warning and aircraft recovery option
Color
- Both versions in our product line utilize conformal color symbology to improve situational awareness
- Full color video imagery, FLIR and Picture-in-Picture
- Color de-brief camera
Advantage JHMCS
- More flight crews fly JHMCS around the world
- More crews have used JHMCS HMDs during combat operations
Additional features and benefits
- The developers of JHMCS II have worked extensively with warfighters to create a system that improves situational awareness, provides improved comfort, better balance and easy day to night mode interchange.
- With nearly 6,000 systems sold and 15 years of experience, JHMCS based products have a heritage of superior safety achievement, testing, and qualification certifications.
- JHMCS II is fully interchangeable, retrofits perfectly with all components of JHMCS and is adaptable to any aircraft architecture.
- Improvements include Flat Panel Display, Video, No High Voltage, Higher Reliability, Better Balance and higher accuracy with the new Forward Fit Opto-Inertial Tracker.
- JHMCS II Can Be Pre-ordered Now.
- JHMCS II Has The Best Warranty And Service Support In The Industry.
Source jhmcsii.com
AN/AAS-42 Infrared search and track
AAS-42 Infra-red search and track mounted on pylon with Sniper targeting pod of F-15K
F-14D AAS-42 – Image: sistemasdearmas.com.br
Lockheed Martin’s IRST is a development of the AN/AAS-42 system that was originally carried by Northrop Grumman F-14D Tomcats. However, it has been undergoing development since then, first for the abortive pod-mounted system for the F-15 Eagle, and now further refined for the Super Hornet application. Source ainonline.com
Lockheed completes first flight of Legion Pod: Here
IRST21 infrared sensor
IRST21 is the next generation of Lockheed Martin’s legacy IRST sensor system, which accumulated over 300,000 flight hours on F-14 and international F-15 platforms. As a passive, long-range sensor system, IRST21 uses infrared search and track technology to detect and track airborne threats with weapon-quality accuracy, increasing pilot reaction time and improving survivability.
A compact design enables IRST21 to be integrated in a variety of ways. On the F/A-18E/F, IRST21 is mounted on the nose section of the centerline fuel tank. A podded sensor system with IRST21 is also in development and will be transportable across a wide range of platforms including the F-15C and F-16. Source lockheedmartin
Source lockheedmartin
Link 16 data net system
Image: globalmilitarycommunications.com
ViaSat’s team is leading the transformation in Link 16 Airborne Terminal technology by being the first to upgrade the design of many components of the terminal to provide greater flexibility, enhanced technological capabilities, decreased cost and improved reliability. Embedded modules provide COMSEC and TACAN.
Image: researchgate.net
Through extensive use of reprogrammable components and a modular VME architecture, we’ve provided a lower cost design while also allowing for future requirements. Our terminal provides all operational modes of the Link 16 waveform, and implements all required Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) host interfaces for both U.S. and Coalition integration. Our hardware implements Enhanced Throughput, a new capability that can increase coded data throughput from its current maximum of 115.2 kbps to over 800 kbps. Host interfaces and operational employment of this capability are still in the planning stages.
Image: researchgate.net
Together with Harris and European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS), ViaSat is delivering a family of combat-proven, fully qualified, and EMC-Certified Link 16 MIDS terminals to U.S. Forces and Coalition partners under contracts to the Navy MIDS International Program Office (IPO) and other commercial customers. Source viasat.com
Cockpit
F-15SE cockpit – Image: onfinalofficial.files.wordpress.com
Elbit Systems of America® is a global leader in developing and manufacturing display and mission management systems for air, land, and sea applications. Military forces worldwide rely on our displays to simplify the increasing workload on commanders and crew by presenting information and crisp, sensor video images that enhance communication, navigation, and situational awareness capabilities.
Features and Benefits:
- AMLCD ruggedization to withstand and perform in harsh military environments
- Backlights efficiently deliver high brightness for direct sun viewability while allowing extreme dimmability for night operation in excess of 20,000:1
- ANVIS compatibility with both Class A and Class B requirements, wide-viewing angles, and preservation of the red color
- System
- Powerful real-time and non real-time processors backed with our high-performance and high visual quality graphics accelerators and generators
- Optimized video processing for image clarity and resolution
- Multiple picture-in-picture windowing with a comprehensive interface suite
- System software with powerful applications including: primary flight display, situational awareness, digital real-time moving map, fusion of sensor video with digital maps, digital terrain elevation, threat intervisibility, data sharing, messaging, and EFB.
- Packaged in the smallest volume possible with the lowest power consumption and weight
Source elbitsystems-us.com
APG-82(V)1 AESA radar
Delivering next-generation capabilities
The APG-82(V)1 AESA radar is the latest radar advancement for the U.S. Air Force F-15E fleet.
F-15E PLATFORM OPTIMIZATION
The APG-82(V)1 optimizes the F-15Es multirole mission capability. In addition to its extended range and improved multi-target track and precision engagement capabilities, the APG-82(V)1 offers improvement in system reliability over the legacy F-15E APG-70 radar. This phenomenal level of reliability and maintainability will result in significant maintenance cost savings for the U.S. Air Force.
LOW-RISK ENHANCEMENTS
By leveraging combat-proven technologies—the APG-79 and APG-63(V)3 AESA radars flying on the F/A-18E/F, the EA-18G and the F-15C platforms—Raytheon delivers a low-risk, cost-effective and superior situational awareness and attack radar to modernize the Strike Eagle.
EFFECTIVENESS AND SURVIVABILITY
Aircraft equipped with the APG-82(V)1 AESA radar can simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges than ever before. The longer standoff range facilitates persistent target observation and information sharing for informed decision making. This superior battlespace awareness supports greater tactical mission capability. The result: greatly increased aircraft-aircrew effectiveness and survivability.
PROVEN AESA TECHNOLOGY
Raytheon’s ground-breaking AESA technology has consistently proven its exceptional performance, reliability and mission capabilities for the warfighter. Our APG-79 AESA radar design, now extended to the APG-82(V)1, is combat-proven on fielded F/A-18s, and it’s being adapted now to modernize the Strike Eagle.
Source raytheon.com
“The new radar system does everything faster, is extremely precise and requires less maintenance,” Riley said. “It can designate air-to-air and air-to-ground simultaneously, allowing us to track enemy aircraft and identify ground targets at the same time.”
According to the Air Force’s first RMP report, the new radar system is designed to retain functionality of the old legacy radar system while providing expanded mission employment capabilities to include:
– Near simultaneous interleaving of selected air-to-air and air-to-ground functions
– Enhanced air-to-air and air-to-ground classified combat identification capabilities
– Longer range air-to-air target detection and enhanced track capabilities
– Longer range and higher resolution air-to-ground radar mapping
– Improved ground moving target track capability
Source af.mil
An advanced targeting pod provides the aircraft with target identification and autonomous tracking capabilities. A navigation pod will also be fitted to the aircraft providing it with all-weather and night-attack capabilities.
The aircraft will also feature advanced electronic equipment including BAE Systems digital electronic warfare system (DEWS) and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.
BAE Systems digital electronic warfare system (DEWS)
Instead of the tactical electronic warfare system (TEWS) in the Strike Eagle the Silent Eagle makes use of BAE’s Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS)
DEWS uses digital radio-frequency memory (DRFS) technology which is said to have substantially better performance and reliability than the Analog TEWS system. The system has the ability to listen over a frequency band constantly without the need to scan it and the advanced antenna systems can obtain more accurate data with regards to the measurement of bearings. Targets acquired by the DEWS are fused with radar and infrared search and track (IRST) data and displayed on the large format cockpit displays.
The system was designed by implementing lessons learned during the development of the electronic warfare systems for the F-22 and F-35 JSF.
The F-15 Silent Eagle’s (F-15 SE) Basic Sensor Suit
The system utilizes various sensors located in sections of the tail fins, wings and the underside of the airframe as well as a digital radar warning receiver (RWR). The Silent Eagle also contains an advanced jamming system which according to Boeing, allows the aircraft to jam enemy radar systems while still allowing it’s own radar and RWR to operate.
The actual systems contained within the Silent Eagle make it more than capable of entering the battle arena with the best of Russia or anyone else. Source onfinalofficial.wordpress.com
F-15SE weapons and performance
The F-15SE can carry air-to-air missiles, such as AIM-120 and AIM-9, and air-to-ground weapons including precision-guided weapons, JDAM and globules admire. The F-15SE can fly at a maximum speed of 2,655km/h. It can climb at the rate of 15,240m/min. The aircraft will have a range of 3,900km and a service ceiling of 18,200m. The empty weight of the aircraft will be 14,300kg and the maximum takeoff weight will be 36,741kg. The aircraft can carry a payload of 11,748kg.
Weapons
M-61A1 20mm Gatling gun
M-61A1 20mm Gatling gun
The M61 20mm Vulcan is an externally powered, six-barrel, rotary-fire gun having a rate of fire of up to 7200 spm. The firing rate is selectible at 4,000 spm or 6,000 spm. The gun fires standard electrically primed 20mm ammunition. The M61A1 is hydraulically or ram-air driven, electrically controlled, and uses a linkless ammunition feed system.
Each of the gun’s six barrels fires only once during each revolution of the barrel cluster. The six rotating barrels contribute to long weapon life by minimizing barrel erosion and heat generation. The gun’s rate of fire, essentially 100 rounds per second, gives the pilot a shot density that will enable a “kill” when fired in one-second bursts.
M-61A1 20mm Gatling gun on F-15C
The M61 20mm cannon is a proven gun, having been the US military’s close-in weapon of choice dating back to the 1950s. The F-104, F-105, later models of the F-106, F-111, F-4, B-58, all used the M61, as does the Air Force’s F-15 , F-16 and F-22, and the Navy’s F-14 and F/A-18. The internally mounted 20mm cannon system is common to all versions of the F-15. This system combines the widely used (F-4, F-16, F-18) M61 cannon with 940 rounds (A through D models) or 500 rounds (E model) of ammunition. The cannon can be loaded with target practice, armor piercing, or high explosive incendiary rounds. The primary use of the cannon is in the extremely short range (less than 2000 feet) air-to-air environment, where more sophistacated air-to-air missiles are ineffective. Alternately, the cannon has limited usefulness in a ground strafing role. Source fas.org
AIM-9L/M infrared-guided Sidewinder
The AIM-9L added a more powerful solid-propellant rocket motor as well as tracking maneuvering ability. Improvements in heat sensor and control systems have provided the AIM-9L missile with an all-aspect attack capability and improved guidance characteristics. The L model was the first Sidewinder with the ability to attack from all angles, including head-on. An improved active optical fuze increased the missile’s lethality and resistance to electronic countermeasures. A conical scan seeker increased seeker sensitivity and improved tracking stability. The AIM-9L is configured with an annular blast fragmentation warhead. Production and delivery of the AIM-9L began in 1976.
The AIM-9M missile utilizes a guidance control section with counter-countermeasures and improved maintainability and producibility. The AIM-9M is configured with an annular blast fragmentation warhead. Currently the only operational variant, has the all-aspect capability of the L model, but provides all-around higher performance. The M model has improved defense against infrared countermeasures, enhanced background discrimination capability, and a reduced-smoke rocket motor. These modifications increase ability to locate and lock-on a target and decrease the missile’s chances for detection. Deliveries of the M model began in 1983. Source fas.org
AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-7 Sparrow is a radar-guided, air-to-air missile with a high-explosive warhead. The versatile Sparrow has all-weather, all-altitude operational capability and can attack high-performance aircraft and missiles from any direction. The AIM/RIM-7 series is a semiactive, air-to-air, boost-glide missile, designed to be either rail or ejection launched. Semiactive, continuous wave, homing radar, and hydraulically-operated control surfaces direct and stabilize the missile on a proportional navigational course to the target. Propulsion for the missile is provided by a solid propellant rocket motor.
AIM-7F
The AIM-7F joined the Air Force inventory in 1976 as the primary medium-range, air-to-air missile for the F-15 Eagle. The AIM-7F was an almost completely new missile, gaining ability from improved avionics that allowed the warhead to be moved to the front, allowing a bigger motor to be carried that has improved range.
AIM-7M
The AIM-7M, the only current operational version, entered service in 1982. It has improved reliability and performance over earlier models at low altitudes and in electronic countermeasures environments. It also has a significantly more lethal warhead. The latest software version of the AIM-7M is the H-Build, which has been produced since 1987 and incorporates additional improvements in guidance. AIM/RIM-7M DT and OT was successfully completed in FY82. The F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters carry the AIM-7M Sparrow. Source fas.org
AIM-120 AMRAAM Slammer
The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2000. AMRAAM is a supersonic, air launched, aerial intercept, guided missile employing active radar target tracking, proportional navigation guidance, and active Radio Frequency (RF) target detection. It employs active, semi-active, and inertial navigational methods of guidance to provide an autonomous launch and leave capability against single and multiple targets in all environments.
The AMRAAM weighs 340 pounds and uses an advanced solid-fuel rocket motor to achieve a speed of Mach 4 and a range in excess of 30 miles. In long-range engagements AMRAAM heads for the target using inertial guidance and receives updated target information via data link from the launch aircraft. It transitions to a self-guiding terminal mode when the target is within range of its own monopulse radar set. The AIM-120 also has a “home-on-jam” guidance mode to counter electronic jamming. With its sophisticated avionics, high closing speed, and excellent end-game maneuverability, chances of escape from AMRAAM are minimal. Upon intercept an active-radar proximity fuze detonates the 40-pound high-explosive warhead to destroy the target. At closer ranges AMRAAM guides itself all the way using its own radar, freeing the launch aircraft to engage other targets.
Variants
Presently, there are three series of AMRAAM: AIM-120A, AIM-120B, and AIM-120C.
AIM-120A. First production AIM-120A, delivered by Hughes in 1988 to the 33d TFW at Eglin AFB, Florida.
AIM-120B and AIM-120C versions are currently in production, the latter with smaller control surfaces to permit increased internal carriage capability in the F-22. AIM-120B deliveries began in FY 94, and AIM-120C deliveries began in FY 96.
P3I. An improvement program seeks to develop AMRAAM capabilities, including software reprogrammability, advanced counter-countermeasures, and options for improved propulsion.
The AIM-120A is a non-reprogrammable missile (requires a hardware change to upgrade the missile software). The AIM-120B/C is reprogrammable through the missile umbilical using Common Field-level Memory Reprogramming Equipment (CFMRE). The AIM-120C has smaller aero surfaces to enable internal carriage on the Air Force F-22 aircraft. The USAF All-Up-Round (AUR) container houses an internal cable which enables up to four missiles to be reprogrammed while in the container. USN containers are not equipped with the cable and must be opened to reprogram the missile. All three AMRAAM variants are currently approved for use on the F-15C/D/E, F-16C/D, and F/A-18C/D aircraft. Source fas.org
Joint direct attack munition (JDAM)
Joint direct attack munition (JDAM) @boeing.com
Joint stand-off weapon (JSOW)
The AGM-154A (Formerly Advanced Interdiction Weapon System) is intended to provide a low cost, highly lethal glide weapon with a standoff capability. JSOW family of kinematically efficient, air-to-surface glide weapons, in the 1,000-lb class, provides standoff capabilities from 15 nautical miles (low altitude launch) to 40 nautical miles (high altitude launch). The JSOW will be used against a variety of land and sea targets and will operate from ranges outside enemy point defenses. The JSOW is a launch and leave weapon that employs a tightly coupled Global Positioning System (GPS)/Inertial Navigation System (INS), and is capable of day/night and adverse weather operations.
The JSOW uses inertial and global positioning system for midcourse navigation and imaging infra-red and datalink for terminal homing. The JSOW is just over 13 feet in length and weighs between 1000-1500 pounds. Extra flexibility has been engineered into the AGM-154A by its modular design, which allows several different submunitions, unitary warheads, or non-lethal payloads to be carried. The JSOW will be delivered in three variants, each of which uses a common air vehicle, or truck, while substituting various payloads.
deagel.com
AGM-154A (Baseline JSOW) The warhead of the AGM-154A consists of 145 BLU-97/B submunitions. Each bomblet is designed for multi-target in one payload. The bomblets have a shaped charge for armor defeat capability, a fragmenting case for material destruction, and a zirconium ring for incendiary effects.
AGM-154B (Anti-Armor) The warhead for the AGM-154B is the BLU-108/B from the Air Force’s Sensor Fuzed Weapon (SFW) program. The JSOW will carry six BLU-108/B submunitions. Each submunition releases four projectiles (total of 24 per weapons) that use infrared sensors to detect targets. Upon detection, the projectile detonates, creating an explosively formed, shaped charge capable of penetrating reinforced armor targets.
AGM-154C (Unitary Variant) The AGM-154C will use a combination of an Imaging Infrared (IIR) terminal seeker and a two-way data link to achieve point target accuracy through aimpoint refinement and man-in-the-loop guidance. The AGM-154C will carry the BLU-111/B variant of the MK-82, 500- pound general purpose bomb, equipped with the FMU-152 Joint Programmable Fuze (JPF) and is designed to attack point targets. Source fas.org
AGM-158 Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM)
JASSM is a precision cruise missile designed for launch from outside area defenses to kill hard, medium-hardened, soft, and area type targets. The threshold integration aircraft are the F-16, B-52, and F/A-18 E/F, and the airframe design is compatible with all JASSM launch platforms: the B-52H, F-16C/D, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F-117, B-1B, B-2, P-3C and S-3B. The weapon is required to attack both fixed and relocatable targets at ranges beyond enemy air defenses. After launch, it will be able to fly autonomously over a low-level, circuitous route to the area of a target, where an autonomous terminal guidance system will guide the missile in for a direct hit. The key performance parameters for the system are Missile Mission Effectiveness, range, and carrier operability.
JASSM’s midcourse guidance is provided by a Global Positioning System (GPS)-aided inertial navigation system (INS) protected by a new high, anti-jam GPS null steering antenna system. In the terminal phase, JASSM is guided by an imaging infrared seeker and a general pattern match-autonomous target recognition system that provides aimpoint detection, tracking and strike. It also offers growth potential for different warheads and seekers, and for extended range. Source fas.org
The F-15E is the first aircraft to be armed with the Boeing GBU-39 GPS-guided 113kg (250lb) small diameter bomb. Up to 12 bombs can be carried. The SDB entered Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) in April 2005 and achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC) on the F-15E in September 2006.
Boeing GBU-39 GPS-guided 113kg (250lb) small diameter bomb
Boeing GBU-39 GPS-guided 113kg (250lb) small diameter bomb
The Laser Small Diameter Bomb (Laser SDB) system is the next generation of affordable and low-collateral-damage precision strike weapons, which builds on the success of the same Semi-active Laser (SAL) sensor currently used by Boeing’s Laser JDAM. A Laser SDB increases mission effectiveness in several ways:
By using already-proven laser sensor technology, Laser SDB offers the flexibility to prosecute targets of opportunity, including moving targets. With the BRU-61 Carriage System, these optimized munitions offer increased load-out for each weapons station to prosecute multiple targets per sortie. As a 250-lb. class weapon, Laser SDB’s smaller size and High Performance Wing Assembly allow it to glide for extended ranges.
Besides providing a safer standoff distance for pilots at greater than 60 nautical miles, Laser SDB target coordinates can be updated after weapon release by illuminating the target with standard Laser designation procedures. Laser SDB also retains a smaller warhead that provides reduced collateral damage, and offers ultra-low fragmentation with the composite focused lethality munition (FLM) variant. Source boeing.ca
GBU-39/B Weapon:
• Dimensions: (L x W): 70.8″ x 7.5″ (1.8 m x 19 cm)
• Weapon Weight: 285 pounds (130 kg)
• Warhead: 206 lb. (93 kg) penetrating blast fragmentation
• Warhead penetration: >3 feet of steel reinforced concrete
• Fuze: electronic safe/arm fuze
• Standoff maximum range: more than 60 nautical miles
• Precision inertial navigation system/GPS
• Anti-jam GPS and selective-ability anti-spoofing module
BRU-61/A Carriage System:
• Payload capacity: four weapons
• Weight: 320 pounds (145 kg) empty, 1,460 pounds (664 kg) loaded
• Dimensions (L x W x H): 143″ x 16″ x 16″ (3.6 m x 40.6 cm x 40.6 cm)
• Fits nearly all delivery platforms
Performance
- Maximum speed: Mach 2.5+ (1,650+ mph, 2,650+ km/h)
- Combat radius: 800+ nm (720 nmi for stealth A/A mission) (920 miles (1,480 kilometres))
- Ferry range: 2,400 mi (2,100 nmi (3,900 km)) with conformal fuel tank and three external fuel tanks
- Service ceiling: 60,000 ft (18,200 m)
- Rate of climb: 50,000+ ft/min (254+ m/s)
Source wikiwand.com
Main material source airforce-technology.com
| Entered service | ? |
| Crew | 2 men |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Length | 19.43 m |
| Wing span | 13 m |
| Height | 5.63 m |
| Weight (empty) | 14.3 t |
| Weight (maximum take off) | 36.7 t |
| Engines and performance | |
| Engines | 2 x Pratt & Whitney F100-229 turbofans |
| Traction (dry / with afterburning) | 2 x ? / 129 kN |
| Maximum speed | over 2 650 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 18.2 km |
| Ferry range | 3 900 km |
| Combat radius | 1 480 km |
| Armament | |
| Cannon | 1 x 20-mm M61 Vulcan six-barrel cannon (510 rounds) |
| Missiles | AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-88 HARM anti-radar missiles, AGM-130 air-to-surface missiles, up to four AIM-7M Sparrow and four AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles |
| Bombs | Mk82, Mk83, Mk84 bombs, GBU-10/12/15/24/28 precision guided munitions, CBU-series cluster bombs |
Technical data military-today.com
Images are from public domain unless otherwise stated
Main image by Boeing
Updated Mar 23, 2021
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