Advanced F/A-18F Fighters Arrive in Japan
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Advanced F/A-18F Fighters Arrive in Japan
First Wave of Advanced F/A-18F Fighters Arrive at U.S. Navy Base Just South of Tokyo
The Associated Press
NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan Nov. 13 — The first wave of advanced F/A-18F fighters arrived Thursday at this U.S. Navy base just south of Tokyo to replace an aging contingent of F-14 "Tomcats," which are being retired worldwide.
The newer planes, which have a greater range and can carry heavier payloads than the F-14s, represent a significant upgrade in capabilities. They are to be deployed to aircraft carriers as part of Carrier Air Wing 5, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed air wing.
The four planes were greeted by aircrews and families on the flightline.
The Navy said the upgrade "demonstrates continuing U.S. commitment to peace and regional security through strengthened capabilities, as well as the U.S. government's commitment to the defense of Japan," according to a statement.
Nearly 60,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Japan under a mutual security pact.
Though the Japanese government strongly backs the arrangement, friction between the U.S. military and its neighbors over noise, crime or the fear of accidents is common.
Last October, a Japanese court ordered the central government to pay residents a record $22.9 million in compensation for the noise from Atsugi, which is used by both the Japanese and U.S. military.
Similar suits have been leveled against other bases, including a major U.S. Air Force base on the outskirts of Tokyo.
The Navy statement acknowledged the concerns over noise at Atsugi and said it "places great emphasis on working closely with its neighbors in Japan."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20031113_208.html
ATSUGI NAVAL AIR FACILITY, Japan -- Two U.S. Navy F/A18F Super Hornets, Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Two, Diamond Backs, taxi down to a tarmac upon arrival. F/A18Fs arrived to fill in for the retired F14As based here. (AP Photo by Junji Kurokawa) -
www.news.navy.mil/view_si...p?id=10579
With the reassignment of VF-154 Black Knights to Lemoore NAS in roder to start their conversion to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, VFA-102 Diamondbacks - also flying F/A-18Fs - was reassigned to Atsugi, Japan.
This makes the Diamondbacks the first forward-deployed Uber-Bug unit in the Fleet, and they will be assigned to USS Kitty Hawk, which is attached to the US Seventh Fleet, oeprating out of Yokosuka, Japan. -
Originally posted by cavsg:
that's BS.
Advanced F/A-18F Fighters Arrive in Japan
First Wave of Advanced F/A-18F Fighters Arrive at U.S. Navy Base Just South of Tokyo
The Associated Press
NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan Nov. 13 — The first wave of advanced F/A-18F fighters arrived Thursday at this U.S. Navy base just south of Tokyo to replace an aging contingent of F-14 "Tomcats," which are being retired worldwide.
The newer planes, which [b]have a greater range and can carry heavier payloads than the F-14s, represent a significant upgrade in capabilities. They are to be deployed to aircraft carriers as part of Carrier Air Wing 5, the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed air wing.
[/b]
shitty bug's range is much shorter than tomcat's... and i'll bet the tomcat can carry more stuff, and further, and much faster.
the only "significant upgrade" is the radar, ATFLIR, amraam and aim-9x that could easily have been integrated on the old tomcat -
well...the problem for Tomcat is its heavy maintainence hrs....SBug maintainence hrs is much shorter than F-14Originally posted by wd1:that's BS.
shitty bug's range is much shorter than tomcat's... and i'll bet the tomcat can carry more stuff, and further, and much faster.
the only "significant upgrade" is the radar, ATFLIR, amraam and aim-9x that could easily have been integrated on the old tomcat -
With the retirement of the Tomcats, does that mean that the USN will lose it's AIM-54 capability? Or will the F/A-18Fs retain that capability?
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amraam c-5 will do the job of aim-54 since cold war era has endedOriginally posted by 21Alpha:With the retirement of the Tomcats, does that mean that the USN will lose it's AIM-54 capability? Or will the F/A-18Fs retain that capability? -
The C7 version of the AMRAAM to equip the SH, and its the baseline missile for the Raptor. It has been described as a virtually new missile by virtue of its new seeker and range improvements stemming from modifications to its flight control system. This info came from IDR
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i heard is powered by ramjet alsoOriginally posted by YourFather:The C7 version of the AMRAAM to equip the SH, and its the baseline missile for the Raptor. It has been described as a virtually new missile by virtue of its new seeker and range improvements stemming from modifications to its flight control system. This info came from IDR
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ramjet... serious?
wow... cant be so soon rite...
sure anot? -
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-120.html
The AIM-120C-7 (P3I Phase 3), development of which has begun in 1998, incorporates improved ECCM with jamming detection, an upgraded seeker, and longer range. The latter feature was specifically requested by the U.S. Navy to get a (somewhat) suitable replacement for the AIM-54 Phoenix very-long range missile, which will be retired together with the F-14D Tomcat around 2007. The AIM-120C-7 was successfully tested against combat-realistic targets in August and September 2003, and IOC is currently planned for 2004. Equivalent to the -120A/B, there are also CATM-120C and JAIM-120C non-tactical variants of the AIM-120C. -
Can anyone tell me whether the longitudinal contraption attached to the port intake is the Raytheon ASQ-228 ATFLIR?
Heard that's the best NAV/TAR FLIR available in the world now. But it's not a full package targeting system like Damocles or Litening is it? -
New engine and air frame has improved the range of the F-18E/F so it is now longer then the F-14.Carrying heavier stuff i dunno but it sure can carry more then the F-14's.The new bugs are also faster i think....dun have the stats with me so i might be wrong.But the new engines are pretty good.I do not know why you say there is no significant upgrade is the radar when practically the whole new airframe has been changed and the engines and most of it's electronics is also new.It is practically a new plane!!Originally posted by wd1:that's BS.
shitty bug's range is much shorter than tomcat's... and i'll bet the tomcat can carry more stuff, and further, and much faster.
the only "significant upgrade" is the radar, ATFLIR, amraam and aim-9x that could easily have been integrated on the old tomcat
Just to make sure ill do some checking and get back to you about this -
laplace, sharp eyes!! those are most likely ATFLIR pods.
duotiga3, that article doesnt say anything abt ramjets...
i stand by my assertion that "super" bug has shorter range than F-14D, when both are configured for similar missions (eg air-to-air) and all else being equal... and its F414s' 25% increase in thrust may be good but its still not sufficient to get a TWR close to the Tomcat-D's. superhornet has no swing-wings too, and is slower.
new radar and ATFLIR are good... but performance-wise still no match for a Tomcat-D. -
wd1, i heard only...so is not confirm......don't just take all info out for context of it.....Originally posted by wd1:laplace, sharp eyes!! those are most likely ATFLIR pods.
duotiga3, that article doesnt say anything abt ramjets...
i stand by my assertion that "super" bug has shorter range than F-14D, when both are configured for similar missions (eg air-to-air) and all else being equal... and its F414s' 25% increase in thrust may be good but its still not sufficient to get a TWR close to the Tomcat-D's. superhornet has no swing-wings too, and is slower.
new radar and ATFLIR are good... but performance-wise still no match for a Tomcat-D.
some things gotta do research for it......i ain't not reference bk.......
The only good about Super Horet is is maintainance , AoA, AESA, ATFLIR and its weapons system. But since the COld War era is gone, USN need not to have F-14 type of fighters on carrier.....
ps: i personally also not very much like Su[per Hornet also......since keep updating the devlopments...... -
The ramjet version would be the P3I Phase 4 version, and would probably be like the losing bid which was put up for the European BVRAAM requirement, of which the Meteor was chosen.
While I am still very pro-F-14, I strongly feel that you guys are dissing the ShittyHornet too badly... While in pure performance it is really quite a piece of shit, in terms of its avionics it really is top notch.Originally posted by duotiga83:The only good about Super Horet is is maintainance , AoA, AESA, ATFLIR and its weapons system. But since the COld War era is gone, USN need not to have F-14 type of fighters on carrier.....
ps: i personally also not very much like Su[per Hornet also......since keep updating the devlopments......
1. ATFLIR is among the best targeting pod available
2. its APG-79 would be the first multi-role fighter AESA radar to be operational
3. its self-protection suite consisting of the IDECM is comprehensive, and when the full up IDECM suite is ready, it will come with the ALE-55 fibre-optic towed decoy
4. By virtue of it being a 2 seater, it has an inherent advantage over other single seater attack fighters. Combined with its "de-coupled" cockpit system, where the back seater can use the A2G radar modes while the front seater uses the radars A2A modes simultaneously, the fighter's capabilities is maximised. It is thus, in fact, more qualified for the term "omni-role", than the Rafale! (the french came up with the term omni-role to stress that the Rafale is able to carry out multiple missions within the same sortie as opposed muliti-role which they take to be an aircraft being able to carry out different roles, but in different sorties. All marketing gimmick actually...)
5. The SH would get an exciting system known as HART, or Hornet Autonomous Rapid Targeting. This allows the Hornet to take advantage of its real-time SAR capabilities to engage targets of opportunities. It works by using the APG-79 to take a SAR pic of the target, and then the pic is sent to the JADM which has an IIR sensor mounted on it. The JDAM then homes in on the template which it receives from the HART system.
In an era where air combat would very likely not come to a 'merge', the SH avionics would give it a tremendous capability edge over its peers. In fact, with its JHCMS, it might even beat other more maneuverable fighters in a dogfight... -
1 thing i find it interesting....USAF/USN/USMC future a/cs though uses AESA radar, it doesn't have any passive tracking system like Typhoon PIRATE.....
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...or the Rafale's Front Sector Optronics (OSF)Originally posted by duotiga83:1 thing i find it interesting....USAF/USN/USMC future a/cs though uses AESA radar, it doesn't have any passive tracking system like Typhoon PIRATE.....
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righttt....i forgotten the name...thanksOriginally posted by Viper52:...or the Rafale's Front Sector Optronics (OSF)
Seems like the USA is relying on Sensor fusion for better situation awareness..... -
you forgot the most important thing. the GrowlerOriginally posted by YourFather:The ramjet version would be the P3I Phase 4 version, and would probably be like the losing bid which was put up for the European BVRAAM requirement, of which the Meteor was chosen.
While I am still very pro-F-14, I strongly feel that you guys are dissing the ShittyHornet too badly... While in pure performance it is really quite a piece of shit, in terms of its avionics it really is top notch.
1. ATFLIR is among the best targeting pod available
2. its APG-79 would be the first multi-role fighter AESA radar to be operational
3. its self-protection suite consisting of the IDECM is comprehensive, and when the full up IDECM suite is ready, it will come with the ALE-55 fibre-optic towed decoy
4. By virtue of it being a 2 seater, it has an inherent advantage over other single seater attack fighters. Combined with its "de-coupled" cockpit system, where the back seater can use the A2G radar modes while the front seater uses the radars A2A modes simultaneously, the fighter's capabilities is maximised. It is thus, in fact, more qualified for the term "omni-role", than the Rafale! (the french came up with the term omni-role to stress that the Rafale is able to carry out multiple missions within the same sortie as opposed muliti-role which they take to be an aircraft being able to carry out different roles, but in different sorties. All marketing gimmick actually...)
5. The SH would get an exciting system known as HART, or Hornet Autonomous Rapid Targeting. This allows the Hornet to take advantage of its real-time SAR capabilities to engage targets of opportunities. It works by using the APG-79 to take a SAR pic of the target, and then the pic is sent to the JADM which has an IIR sensor mounted on it. The JDAM then homes in on the template which it receives from the HART system.
In an era where air combat would very likely not come to a 'merge', the SH avionics would give it a tremendous capability edge over its peers. In fact, with its JHCMS, it might even beat other more maneuverable fighters in a dogfight... -
It exists, as part of the ATFLIR. The ATFLIR has an A2A tracking function too... However, the F-18's level of sensor fusion is nowhere near that of the JSF or the F-22.Originally posted by duotiga83:1 thing i find it interesting....USAF/USN/USMC future a/cs though uses AESA radar, it doesn't have any passive tracking system like Typhoon PIRATE.....
"you forgot the most important thing. the Growler"
The Growler is another version, while the one I'm referring to is the F Block II version. -
the growler is build around the Fplus, boeing introduced the Fplus so that anytime the us navy can covert a F to G if they decided to get more than the 90 G model planned for. the penalty of building a Fplus is 50lbs of weight. its all inside last week's awst as a market supplement. 5 pages of super hornet stuff.Originally posted by YourFather:The Growler is another version, while the one I'm referring to is the F Block II version. -
I dig deeper to check. growler is based on lot 30 of block II.Originally posted by YourFather:The Growler is another version, while the one I'm referring to is the F Block II version.
when deployed at the end of the decade, the super hornet is the only strike aircraft with a jammer of the same type going into hostile territory with it. and the only jammer that can protect itself from air to air harm by being equiped with AMRAAM and air to air radar while carrying out its jamming duties. -
i thought it uses APG-79 AESA radar too?Originally posted by cavsg:I dig deeper to check. growler is based on lot 30 of block II.
when deployed at the end of the decade, the super hornet is the only strike aircraft with a jammer of the same type going into hostile territory with it. and the only jammer that can protect itself from air to air harm by being equiped with AMRAAM and air to air radar while carrying out its jamming duties. -
It will have the APG-79 radar. However, it will not be able to integrate the AESA's inherent jamming capabilities with the baseline ALQ-99 jammers onboard, as was originally intended due to timeline and monetary constraints. However, such an upgrade would be likely after the Growler is fielded. Its interesting to note too that the Growler would not be able to carry out strike missions as was originally intended. (original intent was that the Growler would be like any other F model hornet with the additional kamming capability added) Now the baseline G would only be able to carry HARMs, AMRAAMs and AIM-9s, until upgradde.
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Key F/A-18E/F Enhancements Finally Emerge
Aviation Week & Space Technology
10/27/2003, page 54
Robert Wall
Washington
The major subsystems at the heart of the F/A-18E/F are finally fleet-ready, after years of development, although several key warfighting features will take a while longer before they are fielded.
The past year has been a busy one for the F/A-18E/F. The strike fighter saw first combat action almost exactly a year ago, as part of the no-fly zone enforcement in southern Iraq. During the recent Iraq war, the first operational F/A-18E squadron, VFA-115 on the USS Abraham Lincoln, dropped more than 350,000 lb. of ordnance with a 98% success rate. The squadron averaged more than 55 flight hours per day. Two additional squadrons, an F/A-18E and an F/A-18F, joined the conflict later on the USS Nimitz.
Another sign the aircraft is moving from its development status into an operational role is that later this year the U.S. Navy will move its first F/A-18F squadron to Japan to be permanently based there. The squadron would support the permanently forward-deployed USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier. The first F/A-18E squadron is likely to follow soon thereafter.
Key to the transition is the fact that subsystems vital to the F/A-18E/F's ability to perform its missions are maturing. One critical milestone occurred earlier this year with the successful completion of operational testing for the ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) sensor. The passing grade and decision to proceed with full-rate production represents a turnaround for the Raytheon effort, which was mired in development problems to the point that Navy acquisition officials considered pursuing other options.
During its first operational deployment, ATFLIR also experienced serious reliability problems. However, engineers blamed those on pre-production development hardware that had been rushed to the field. A later deployment with early production pods did not experience the same shortcomings, Navy officials stress.
One ATFLIR competitor noted that for the sensor to pass its operational evaluation, the Navy had to defer assessing some of the pod's features. The F/A-18 requirements chief, Cdr. Hal Murdock, acknowledged that some elements of the system remain to be certified, such as the laser spot tracker, electro-optical camera to see targets with no discernable thermal signature, and air-to-air functions. The follow-on test phase is slated for March.
The Navy plans to buy 574 ATFLIR pods, although that number could shrink as part of the service's plan to more closely link U.S. Marine Corps and Navy aviation elements. The bulk of the ATFLIRs will go to older F/A-18s, about 334, with 240 reserved for the F/A-18E/F fleet; 23 have already been delivered. However, the -18E/F gets its equipment first. In fact, Marine Corps F/A-18 representatives are trying to field a dozen Litening-2 targeting pods on their F/A-18Ds as a bridge.
Another critical component that underwent operational testing earlier this year is the Link-16 Multifunction Information Distribution System (MIDS). Although testers identified reliability shortfalls, those have undergone a "verification of correction of deficiencies" process, and the equipment is ready for full-rate production, says the Navy's F/A-18 program manager, Capt. Donald E. Gaddis. The test community will continue to work with the system but has recommended fleet introduction. MIDS also adds two encrypted digital voice channels. The feature is now available to two F/A-18C and three F/A-18E/F squadrons.
Murdock said Link-16, which allows the aircraft to share information with other aircraft, provides pilots with unprecedented situational awareness and the ability to track friendly forces. For instance, Link-16 Patriot air defense batteries will now be able to track aircraft with the data link, something that understandably interests Navy aviators after a Patriot PAC-3 battery during the Iraq war shot down a Navy F/A-18, killing the pilot.
Most recently, Navy test personnel gave a passing grade to the strike fighter's new self-protection techniques generator, the ALQ-214. Development problems forced the Navy to adopt a three-phase electronic warfare path for the F/A-18E/F. The ALQ-214 will replace the ALQ-165. The final step will be to replace the ALE-50 with a fiber-optic towed decoy, which is slated to commence testing in January 2006.
Several additional features are also on the horizon. Perhaps most notable is Raytheon's APG-79 radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA). Testing of the equipment has begun, with the hope of fielding the system by 2005. The AESA should allow F/A-18E/F crew to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions nearly simultaneously.
Also to deliver in 2005 is the aircraft's advanced crew station, which will allow the front- and backseater to operate different subsystems of the aircraft at the same time.
Both the AESA and advanced crew station are key elements of the Super Hornet's Block 2 configuration the Navy started buying last fiscal year. They take advantage of a mission computer and display upgrade that is in aircraft now being built. Boeing has also added manufacturing enhancements to the aircraft to drive the price down as part of its strategy to spur F/A-18E/F sales overseas.
Navy officials are still assessing the F/A-18E/F's performance during the war with Iraq, although the preliminary verdict has been positive. Murdock noted that in addition to the strike role, the aircraft was able to carry out the advertised tanker missions. F/A-18E/Fs flew more than 400 tanker sorties, Murdock said. The capability helped make up for a tanker shortage caused by a lack of U.S. Air Force assets to perform that role. Validating the F/A-18E/F as a tanker was critical for the Navy also because it is retiring the S-3s that have performed that mission in recent years.
Even with four aircraft dedicated to air-to-air refueling, one of the F/A-18E/F squadrons involved in the war with Iraq was able to deliver as much ordnance as a typical squadron of older F/A-18s, a testament to the carrying capability of the newer version, says Gaddis.
To help satisfy the fleet's huge appetite for intelligence, the service rushed two Sharp reconnaissance pods to the field even though the development program was incomplete. The pods were equipped only with a medium-altitude sensor without the data link or high-altitude sensor that are part of the baseline system, although both are now being fielded. Fleet operators were able to use the visual and infrared sensors in a "stereo" mode to find concealed targets. The pre-deployment status meant there was no established logistics support. Nevertheless, Murdock said, reliability of the device was high, and its resolution surpassed expectations. The service has a requirement for 50 Sharp systems, but so far has funded only 29. The formal operational evaluation is scheduled for April.
During Iraq operations, fleet users and the test community expressed concern about the reliability of the General Electric F414 engines (AW&ST Mar. 17, p. 46). But Murdock said frankly that "we have gotten all the reliability that we have paid for," noting that the service is still trying to find money to finance engine component enhancements.
GADDIS NOTED that the F414s were able to log more flight hours between repairs than the older F404s, with goals for further improvements. The Navy is considering pooling its F414 engine money--procurement, research and development, and maintenance accounts--into one funding line to give managers the flexibility to apply dollars where they are best spent. That move should allow the service to start financing the engine improvements. Moreover, General Electric will be responsible for depot turnaround time and thereby will be encouraged to improve the engine on its own.
The F/A-18E/F's ability to return to a carrier with more ordnance also demonstrated its worth in Iraq, Murdock noted, particularly as attacks shifted from assigned targets to time-sensitive targets. In the latter case, aircraft were launched without target assignments and loitered, waiting to be called in for strikes. But often the aircraft had to return without dropping ordnance. For older F/A-18s that would have meant dropping expensive weapons in the ocean before landing, but with the larger -18E/F the aircraft could return with their munitions to the ship.
The Navy also is looking to expand the types and combination of weapons that can be carried on the strike fighter, although those efforts are slowing slightly this year because of a lack of funding. However, in 2006, fleet users should receive the ability to drop 1,000-lb. GPS-guided Joint Direction Attack Munitions, followed two years later by the 500-lb. version. As part of the AESA program, the Navy in 2007 will field an advanced navigation package that will allow pilots to use the radar to improve the accuracy of the GPS-guided bombs.
Developers also are trying to determine how best to fit the F/A-18E/F into the Pentagon's emerging but yet ill-defined network-centric warfare architecture. The availability of Link-16 represents a first step, but later in this decade service officials expect to start integrating the Joint Tactical Radio System into the fighter, the Pentagon's new software programmable radio that is to be fielded throughout the U.S. military
But the near-term focus for the service isn't further enhancements, but fielding the equipment now ready as quickly as possible. Asked what he would do if more money were to become available, Murdock pointed to accelerated fielding of the AESA and ATFLIR and faster weapons integration.
As to the basic manufacturing program, the Navy this year plans to award Lot 27 of the production run, which would deliver in 2006. The service has taken delivery of about 143 Super Hornets out of a planned buy of 552. That number includes 90 EA-18G "Growlers," the electronic attack derivative slated to replace EA-6B support jammers. System development for the jammer version is to begin this fiscal year, with the first aircraft to deliver in 2009. Pentagon acquisition leaders are to review the Navy's EA-18G plans next month, which Navy representatives hope will allow them to start the formal development phase.