F-16.net

"The company is also going to see if it can do something to that effect with a new helmet for Raptor pilots. So far, it has upgraded to a Scorpion helmet-mounted display, which Merchant said is “basically just a reticle” that gives the ability to employ AIM-9X targeting by looking off axis."

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/10/1 ... rnization/

I thought they tested it out but did not proceed in 2013 due to lack of funding.

It's news to me too, a good band-aid fix.

Helmet sights are part of the MLU, along with myriad new upgrades.

aw2007 wrote:https://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/10/1 ... rnization/

Good catch!

charlielima223 wrote:

aw2007 wrote:https://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/10/1 ... rnization/

Good catch!

Read the article and perused this thread (thanks for the article BTW). I apologize for this, but I'm still not clear on two points:

1) Is the Raptor flying today (operational units) with the AIM-120D?

and..

2.) Is the Raptor flying today (operational units) with the Scorpion helmet?

From what I can gather, the only birds flying with both are still in some sort of test program??

mixelflick wrote:

charlielima223 wrote:

aw2007 wrote:https://www.aviationtoday.com/2018/10/1 ... rnization/

Good catch!

Read the article and perused this thread (thanks for the article BTW). I apologize for this, but I'm still not clear on two points:

1) Is the Raptor flying today (operational units) with the AIM-120D?

and..

2.) Is the Raptor flying today (operational units) with the Scorpion helmet?

From what I can gather, the only birds flying with both are still in some sort of test program??

From what I've been reading, AIM-120D is part of Increment 3.2B, which has completed developmental testing in August, 2017 which led to operational testing which started in September, 2017 and was wrapped up in April, 2018. Production of 3.2B was approved this past summer and starting the summer of 2019, IOC is expected. Scorpion helmet was tested in 2013 but never materialized due to lack of funding.

Wow. I hadn't realized how long and protracted the 120D development had been. Any idea why? Was it because it had to clear the Raptor's full envelope??

And finally, is the 120D flying on any other US jets today? Like the F-15C?? I've only seen the C7 on Eagles here in MA...

Per the FY2015 Budget Docs, the -D went IOC on multiple platforms in Q1 FY2015.

They include the the F-15(C/D/E), F-16 (no version listed), and F-18 (A+/B/C/D/E/F).

The AIM-120D went to the Raptor last, because it needed it least urgently, compared to legacy aircraft. With its stealth, and high altitude/high speed launches, the earlier variants were deemed good enough till 3.2B.

I think while they didn't go for MADL in F-22 now, they probably will at some point. It definitely seems like F-22 community would like that and I'm sure F-35 community would like that too. Maybe next major upgrade?

I'm really intrigued about this comment:

In 2024, funding kicks in for sensor enhancements, a project that is expected to run for several years.

"What we’re looking for is a sensor to complement the radar that’s on the jet,” Merchant said.

There isn’t much detail available yet about upgrades that are still six years away, but he stressed that it goes back to the Raptor’s mantra of “first look, first shot, first kill.”

“I want to maintain that first-look capability and be able to get a shot off,” Merchant said. “So I need a target-quality track at extended ranges outside what my radar can do today.”

So some sensor that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges? That sounds really interesting and I really wonder what this could be. With sensor fusion IRST could be that against VLO stealth targets, but that would require precise range information which could be only had with radar giving the range. In some cases triangulation might give that, but it's not that reliable method with IRST systems. I really doubt some new advanced ESM system could give target-quality tracks at extended ranges.

hornetfinn wrote:So some sensor that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?

How about, "some sensor [data] that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?" i.e. passive off-board targeting.

element1loop wrote:

hornetfinn wrote:So some sensor that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?

How about, "some sensor [data] that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?" i.e. passive off-board targeting.

Plausible... I can't think of any sensor with a longer range than radar and the statement could imply the desire for a LO data link with F-35s.

popcorn wrote:

element1loop wrote:

hornetfinn wrote:So some sensor that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?

How about, "some sensor [data] that complements the radar while having longer range with target-quality track at those extended ranges?" i.e. passive off-board targeting.

Plausible... I can't think of any sensor with a longer range than radar and the statement could imply the desire for a LO data link with F-35s.

I'm also thinking LO constellation-based potential. Or a drone?

Hard to imagine a drone, especially if one assumes the F-22 carries it. Has to add significantly to its weight, and with no concurrent increase in engine thrust...

I'm not familiar with your "constellation" comment? Can you please elaborate??

In reading from numerous articles, it would seem that they're referring to an onboard sensor, which is likely IRST. There have also been references to a DAS-lite capability.

wrightwing wrote:In reading from numerous articles, it would seem that they're referring to an onboard sensor, which is likely IRST. There have also been references to a DAS-lite capability.

Does this mean they'll be upgrading the AN/AAR-56? The F-22 already has full spherical coverage from this sensor



The image quality and resolution doesn't seem too shabby either

While the AAR-56 itself can generate a video image, it only passes a track to the main computer. The datalinks and software int eh main computer will need to be updated to deal with a video stream.

Btw, the left circle is not an AAR-56.

They are located in similar locations to the F-35:
1 on the nose in front of the canopy
1 on on the back behind the canopy
1 on ether side of the nose (your right-side red circle) beneath the air-data probe.
2 on the belly directly in front of weapons bay and behind the front landing gear bay (one pointing frontally and the other pointed back)

Here are the upper and lower AAR-56 locations (4 in total) to add to the 2 side facing nose locations.

IRST system can easily outrange radar if the target is extremely hot like large rocket or possibly even fighter jet in AB in some cases. It can also outrange radar if it has very narrow FoV (large magnification) and very sensitive detector with high resolution. Naturally a lot depends on target features like how much heat it pumps out and what kind of RCS it has. Another big factor is the weather and other conditions. In very clear weather against hot high altitude target IRST could have very long range. Not so much against target flying behind clouds or rainfall. Naturally IRST systems have very limited way of telling target range, speed and heading. Of course if IRST system and radar are working together, they might be able to improve overall target detection and tracking capabilities and in some cases could also have significantly longer range performance than either sensor alone.