Forum: General F-35 Forum

Now that the new Mission Systems Computer has flown for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G, can it benefit from the millions of lines of code written for the F-35 Mission Systems?

http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s ... ;item=2407

Boeing and the U.S. Navy on Sept. 6 successfully flight tested a new mission computer that will expand the performance of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. The new Type 4 Advanced Mission Computer (AMC) increases computing power and accelerates image and mission processing functions.

- a Distributed Targeting System
- Infrared Search and Track
- a new high-definition touch-screen display

Boeing will deliver to the Navy the first Super Hornets and Growlers with the Type 4 AMC in 2014. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is Boeing's principal supplier for development of the AMC.

1- Do the two a/c have a comparable/ equivalent O(perating) S(ystem)?
2- Can the functions ("apps" (F-35 EODAS)) be ported to a system with fewer input sensors (IRST)?
3- Can the input sensors (IRST) in the -18 be increased to the level of the -35 (for less time and less money)?
4- Can the EA function be ported over to reduce development cost and provide commonality to I/O and operator training?
5- Will the F-18 and F-35a ever get a "Landing" button like the F-35B? Laughing

......more or less at the jump! Wink

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Quote:

Now that the new Mission Systems Computer has flown for the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G, can it benefit from the millions of lines of code written for the F-35 Mission Systems?

Nope, completely different language serving completely different sensor fusion modules.

The F/A-18E/F and F-35 have completely incompatible codebase and almost nothing could be shared. I'm pretty sure the code is written using a different developer platforms as well. There is some cross-over between the F/A-18E/F and the F-15C/D/E upgrades planned.

Boeing are looking at using some of the cockpit UI concepts for the F-35, into the F/A-18F Block III such as wide panoramic cockpit display, and sensor fusion.

From a technical point of view, there could be some cross-over between the F-35 and the F-16V/Block 70 upgrade, but Lockheed would be very careful to avoid taking orders away from the F-35 program.

It's always nice to pay for the same thing twice! Smile

I guess this is a proprietary Boeing/ Lockheed thingee! Sad

Perhaps just possibly, it might be different systems may lessen "all eggs in one basket", perhaps. It's a good thing the Wright brothers didn't patent the airplane. The new display is not panoramic, enough? Sensor fusion, the AESA and the "IRST" are not merged? Smile

Quote:

5- Will the F-18 and F-35a ever get a "Landing" button like the F-35B? Laughing

Didn't they just test that?
http://www.politicalhotwire.com/science ... dings.html

No MADL on the SH so either the F-35 communicates using unstealthy Link-16 or, .preferably, via BACN. Anyway, nice upgrades to the SH.

neptune wrote:

It's always nice to pay for the same thing twice! Smile

I guess this is a proprietary Boeing/ Lockheed thingee! Sad

Perhaps just possibly, it might be different systems may lessen "all eggs in one basket", perhaps. It's a good thing the Wright brothers didn't patent the airplane. The new display is not panoramic, enough? Sensor fusion, the AESA and the "IRST" are not merged? Smile

The panoramic display (with sensor fusion) isn't going into the USN jets as currently, but it is being developed as part of the F/A-18E/F offer to Brazil and other potential operators.

neurotech wrote:

[..The panoramic display (with sensor fusion) isn't going into the USN jets as currently, but it is being developed as part of the F/A-18E/F offer to Brazil and other potential operators.

I like the SBug and am happy to hear they have those upgrades in the near future, hopefully the AMC will be able to implement MADL with the -35 when it "ever" goes to IOC. Separate but equal is not a bad plan as long as it is cost effective. Boeing should keep their finger in the pie. Smile

Nice splashy press release from Boeing but it's just a new mission computer, guys -- a new mission computer -- that's it. woo-hoo...

neptune wrote:

neurotech wrote:

[..The panoramic display (with sensor fusion) isn't going into the USN jets as currently, but it is being developed as part of the F/A-18E/F offer to Brazil and other potential operators.

I like the SBug and am happy to hear they have those upgrades in the near future, hopefully the AMC will be able to implement MADL with the -35 when it "ever" goes to IOC. Separate but equal is not a bad plan as long as it is cost effective. Boeing should keep their finger in the pie. Smile

They are getting none of "those upgrades" except the new AMC.

quicksilver wrote:

neptune wrote:

neurotech wrote:

[..The panoramic display (with sensor fusion) isn't going into the USN jets as currently, but it is being developed as part of the F/A-18E/F offer to Brazil and other potential operators.

I like the SBug and am happy to hear they have those upgrades in the near future, hopefully the AMC will be able to implement MADL with the -35 when it "ever" goes to IOC. Separate but equal is not a bad plan as long as it is cost effective. Boeing should keep their finger in the pie. Smile

They are getting none of "those upgrades" except the new AMC.

Looks like they changed the plan Very Happy

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... et-376973/

Hopefully these upgrades will help to allow the F/A-18E/F to fully integrate with the F-35 operationally.

The new mission computer is a nice addition that is twice as fast as the unit it replaces to make better use of the AESA radar and other sensors and data links. Not nice enough to sway the Japanese,though.

neurotech wrote:

.....

Hopefully these upgrades will help to allow the F/A-18E/F to fully integrate with the F-35 operationally.

It has to!
Now that the F-35 mission systems is flying in v2.0, it should lend itself to scope definition for like functions on the "teens". I know the systems folks gambit of " my IR is better than your IR", in the end it is all 1s and 0s. Whether it is written in basic , fortran or whatever other wrong language, the scope and function is still "like that one!" make it work and make it communicate. Hi-bandwidth AESA is a great leap forward for the teens and having a strike package with distributed processing and multiple redundant sensors is got to be a "Hell of a leg up" on the analog A model teens. MADL with multiple ship weapons control is almost a " dream come true " Smile

popcorn wrote:

The new mission computer is a nice addition that is twice as fast as the unit it replaces to make better use of the AESA radar and other sensors and data links. Not nice enough to sway the Japanese,though.

Japan really wants their own 5th gen fighter but doesn't have the budget to develop one and the F-35 is the only jet available currently that is 5th gen design. The internal weapons bay and VLO stealth of the F-35 are major selling points. I think the Boeing F-15SE is overpriced for its capabilities.

Forum: General F-35 Forum

Portability, F-35 to F-18 (w/ New Brain)