Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

Read an UNCLASS article today that tells us the HTS pod will be hung on the left hard point after some modifications. I read that it would require a GPS upgrade. I don't understand why it would need a GPS upgrad on the left and not the right.

Any thoughts?

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IDCrewDawg, where did you read that article?

can't remember the website, however the link was emailed to me and I read it off the net. Deleted the email, so I don't have the link, I might be able to get it again however. As SOP everything is UNCLASS that is on the net, so if I read it off the net has to be unclass correct.

IDCrewDawg, I found this under the 2004 budget requests for the F-16. I "ASSUME" that the GPS integration is a seperate item and not related to moving the HTS pod, as it is addressed for the Block 30's.
And I further "assume" that moving the HTS pod to the left hardpoint, frees up the right hardpoint for the targetting pod. So the same F-16 can drop heavy iron on a target, not just toss a HARM down a radar beam.
But these are just guesses. Anyone know for sure??

RDT&E BUDGET ITEM JUSTIFICATION SHEET (R-2 Exhibit) February 2003

Other modifications which are being or will be developed during the FYDP:
a. Advanced Weapons Integration will integrate Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Stand-off Weapon (JSOW) and Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser
(WCMD) and other smart weapons into the Block 30, Block 40, and Block 50 F-16. This task also includes performing risk reduction activities on advanced weapon
integration.
b. Global Positioning System (GPS) Integration adds GPS capability to the Block 30 and supports testing of GPS changes to other F-16 Blocks. The F-16 development efforts are complemented by comprehensive Operational Flight Program (OFP) upgrades and flight tests.
c. Integrate the targeting pod on the Block 50/52 and transition the HARM Targeting System (HTS) pod to the left inlet hardpoint. This will allow the F-16 Block 50 to perform the SEAD/DEAD mission.
d. The Air-to-Air Interrogator (AAI) consists of a single unit interrogator/transponder, a beam forming network, fuselage-mounted array antenna elements, and a lower
interrogator antenna. The system provides a higher reliability rate and increases performance over present systems. Initial capabilities include coverage of + or - 60
degrees azimuth and elevation coverage with a + or - 2 degree accuracy, a range accuracy of 152 meters and range of 100 nmi. 32 in beam targets can be handled.
Modes 1, 2, 3/A, C, S, and 4 are available. The AAI is developed for Block 50 and will be integrated into Block 40.
e. Structural analysis from the on-going Structural Integrity Program (SIP) has indicated that the F-16 is experiencing structural fatigue that will impact the ability of the
airframes to reach their 8,000 hrs service life. RDT&E funds are required to design the required structural modifications, as appropriate for each F-16 Block of aircraft.
Falcon STAR development costs will be shared with the Multi-National Fighter Program (MNFP) countries.

http://www.dtic.mil/descriptivesum/Y200 ... 07133F.pdf

The reason I asked was cause I wasn't sure of how any part of the HTS worked, or that it was really going to be on the left hard point. I was just interested in other peoples thoughts. The article you located is much more inforative however. What I read seemed more like a brief description or maybe a summary. I just found it interesting and was wondering what you fellas here may think. What I read expressed what you say. I also wondered if the 16 can carry JDAM on one wing and HARM on the other, what the drag differences would be. Those kinds of things. It's a slow night for me so knowing what you fellas think would be interesting.

The HTS pod is really simple and yet sophisticated. It senses incoming RF energy, just like the seeker head of the HARM. It can measure that signal, and make some determinations about what it is, and where it came from, and tell the onboard HARMs (or another aircraft, in the Hunter/Killer package), what it has "discovered.". Without going into any more details too delicate, here's a description from globalSecurity.org:

(http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/hts.htm)

"The AN/ASQ-213 HARM Targeting Systems (HTS) Pod has opened up a whole new mission for the F-16. With HARM/HTS, the F-16 picked up the demanding mission of suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), once performed primarily by the F-4G Wild Weasel aircraft. The F-16 is truly a multirole unit – in addition to the primary SEAD mission, it also flies air superiority, defense counter air, and air interdiction missions. Originally developed by Texas Instruments under a program to provide new modular targeting systems for USAF aircraft, it is the key to USAF's effort in SAM hunting now and in the 21st century. The pod is 8 inches in diameter, 56 inches long and weighs 85 pounds. Most important of the HTS' capabilities is the ability to rapidly generate ranges to target radars, as well as to provide greater discretion between different types of enemy radars. "

You'll notice in the budget doc, that they mentioned SEAD and DEAD. That DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses) component would be where having a targetting pod in addition to the HTS would come in handy. And yes, the Blk 50/52's we test flew at Edwards could carry a pair of PGM's, a pair of HARMs, and a couple of A-A missiles on the tips. But keep in mind, in the hunter/killer package, the hunter might not need the PGM's at all. Enter a heavy platform with lots of PGMs as the killer, and as the French would say "Kabooom."

FlightTestJim wrote:

IDCrewDawg, I found this under the 2004 budget requests for the F-16. I "ASSUME" that the GPS integration is a seperate item and not related to moving the HTS pod, as it is addressed for the Block 30's.
And I further "assume" that moving the HTS pod to the left hardpoint, frees up the right hardpoint for the targetting pod. So the same F-16 can drop heavy iron on a target, not just toss a HARM down a radar beam.
But these are just guesses. Anyone know for sure??

That's exactly it. In about 1998 or so the Chief of Staff wanted to look into it. Seems we were having to combine CG's and CJ's into a singlr 4-ship to accomplish the mission. Given the other airframe differences, that caused other problems.

So either the HTS or the targeting pod had to move to the other side. The HTS required a recharacterization of the EM field, EW reflections, etc... the LANTIRN required remapping the vehicle for laser masking. Both required a rewire. Turned out moving the HTS was cheaper. Glad to see something I worked on (albeit in a small way) happened.

Hey ID, you can mix and match loads for the SEAD and DEAD missions. The type of load determines SEAD or DEAD. IF your flying 2 HARMS, then it is SEAD or Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. Fly 1 HARM and 1 Maverick or JDAM or even 2 JDAMs and it is now Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses. While I was at Spang, we deployed to Aviano for Operation Allied Force and the first few night our pilots flew mixed loads, but eventually went back to 2 HARMS. That was the first I recall seeing loads like that. I have pictures I will have to upload to the gallery.

O.T.

Thanks for the info Roscoe. Always nice to have wild-@$$ guesses confirmed, one way or the other.

Quote:

I don't understand why it would need a GPS upgrad on the left and not the right.

My guess would be that they need to GPS update to do other tasks better, like knowing the location of the Viper much more accurate to drop a GPS guided weapon on a tarket not visible, but also to hand over target information to another bird with more suitable stores to deal with the target. Later GPS equipment is much more resilient against jamming, as well as more accurate, which also is an important factor when a jammer almost can be aquired from Radio Shack these days.

Forum: F-16 Design & Construction

HTS on the left Hard point.