F-22 Raptor needs HMCS to take full advantage of AIM-9x

[SpudmanWP]

Good to hear... now we just need the budget....

[BDF]

USAF to evaluate Scorpion HMD on F-22 Raptor


By: Dave Majumdar Las Vegas
Flight International

Link Here



US Air Force operational testers at Nellis AFB, Nevada, are preparing to evaluate the Visionix Scorpion helmet-mounted cueing system (HMCS) on the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor later this year.

"We absolutely hope to have the Scorpion helmet [on the Raptor]," says Col Robert Novotny, commander of the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group (53rd TEG), which investigates new technologies and tactics for the service. "We think we'll get into that business this summer."

Novotny cautions that while work is underway to investigate adding the new helmet -mounted display, a test plan has not been formally approved just yet. "We're figuring out what's required, what are the issues," he says.

Even so, the new full-colour lightweight paddle-shaped display has made a very positive impression on the Raptor community. "Everybody really likes the Scorpion," Novotny says. "Everybody wants the helmet and we're trying to work our way forward."

The integration of the Scorpion onto the Raptor will pave the way for the fifth-generation air-superiority fighter to take full advantage of the Raytheon AIM-9X high off-boresight (HOBS) dogfighting missile. "So if we can get that in the jet, and then we can get them an off-boresight heat-seeking missile like the AIM-9X," Novotny says. "[Adding the AIM-9X is a] little bit further off. We want to get this done because we'll bring some great capability to the pilot, as all helmets do, and give them the off-boresight later."

The Raptor is expected to receive a "rudimentary" capability to use the weapon in 2015. Full integration of the AIM-9X is expected in 2017 when the Raptor's Increment 3.2B upgrade is fielded.

The F-22 community considers the addition of a HMCS and the AIM-9X to the Raptor to be vital. Even though the jet grossly outperforms other aircraft at the "merge", the Raptor can be at a disadvantage once it transitions into the visual arena against a threat aircraft equipped with a HMCS and HOBS missile.

The addition of the Scorpion and AIM-9X will also allow for "heads out" multi-targeting of enemy aircraft while approaching the merge, which will help the Raptor in scenarios where it is outnumbered, says one highly experienced F-22 pilot. Given the small size of the F-22 fleet, that "will be about all the time these days," the pilot says.

Generally speaking, Novotny-who has had years of experience flying as an aggressor against the Raptor--says one is usually not aware of being attacked by a F-22 until it is too late. That is because even at the merge, a pilot flying against a Raptor does not know where the F-22 is coming from due to its stealth capabilities.

However, once engaged in a classic dogfight, "I have a chance," Novotny says. The outcome of visual range encounters is largely dependent on individual pilot skill, he notes.

The addition of the Scorpion and AIM-9X would ensure the USAF's small Raptor fleet, which only numbers 184, retains its advantage even during a within visual range encounter.

[discofishing]

Scorpion? Imagine that!

[linkomart]

Cross reference for the future:
http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-23330.html

[BDF]

Um, I posted that Flight Global piece a week ago...

[zero-one]

Just a quick question about the Aim-9X
turns out, the French Mica missile can feed IR data to the Rafale's sensor fusion engine and act as an external sensor.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articl ... 80%9D.html

infra-red guided version of MBDA’s MICA air-to-air missile which, as it scans continuously, can provide IR imagery to the central data processing system. “MICA is not just a missile, it’s an extra sensor as well,” says Pierre G., and its detection range is much longer than generally supposed.

I was wondering if the 9X can do the same giving the Raptor some form of IRST.

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

I'm going to say no. The raptor was built around the AIM-9M which was not an IIR missile. In addition, Mica is always exposed, raptor has to open a door to expose a sidewinder. Mica is also carried on a wingtip so it has a clear view (I am aware they can be under the wing i.e. body too) while the sidewinder is carried on the side of the body where its field of view is much more limited. And why does our matter if Mica can do this? Is the sensor in the missile better than the OSF?

[mixelflick]

Integration of the scorpion helmet will happen, and it will happen when its needed most - before Russia or China can field meaningful numbers of SU-57's/J-20's.

Not that I think either is going to get close, but the Raptor roadmap is going to keep it one step ahead until PCA gets here. It is $ well spent, given some of the oddball situations the Raptor finds itself in (like escorting TU-160's, with SU-30/SU-35 escorts). That unfortunately exposes the Raptor to a hell of a nose pointer, that also has the gas necessary to engage in lots of afterburner on their part, if need be.

Granted, Raptor will approach from an advantageous position, but the stunts these Russian pilots pull can be unpredictable. Someone on their side gets stupid, the Scorpion/9x block II will provided the edge necessary to counter.

[zero-one]

And why does our matter if Mica can do this? Is the sensor in the missile better than the OSF?

Hmmmm that is bizarre,
Maybe it can act as a MWR, I don't know. But if Mica can do this to any platform, then it should be very attractive to export customers.

Imagine needing to buy just half as many IRST pods and simply arming some of your escort fighters with MICAs.
I mean the chances of you actually firing your IIR missile in combat is very slim to begin with, the Aim-9X has been operational for 16 years and has been fired once.

[disconnectedradical]

A better solution would be actual IRST onboard. Originally there was supposed to be a chin mounted IRST but that was removed to save costs. Some sources say there is still requirement for the space, so hope when F-22 MLU comes there would be an IRST.

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

It doesn't matter if the missile has the ability to gather IR data and send it to the aircraft if the aircraft is not wired to receive the information and use/fuze it.

[marauder2048]

I'm also skeptical than an externally carried IIR missile subjected to continuous aerodynamic heating
is going to be able to operate for very long with a typical cooling circuit.

[charlielima223]

A better solution would be actual IRST onboard. Originally there was supposed to be a chin mounted IRST but that was removed to save costs. Some sources say there is still requirement for the space, so hope when F-22 MLU comes there would be an IRST.

I've never read anything about that except in some F-22C concept...

As far as I can tell the original placements for the IRST was originally to be housed in thr wing-roots... one on each side.


The F-22 was supposed to have side mounted radars in the nose. As far as I know that space still exists and isnt currently being used. I read in an article that the F-22 unfortunately doesnt have much space to accomodate a dedicated IRST. I would think they would overhaul the AN/AAR-56 MLD to give it more capability like tracking, ID, and cueing.

[Corsair1963]

"charlielima223"

I've never read anything about that except in some F-22C concept...



Pure fiction........

[wrightwing]

Part of the MLU for the F-22 is a "new sensor" to use in addition to radar and ESM, to find low RCS targets.