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F-111 carries Raptor Pod
(Article republished with the
express permission of Air Force Today Publications. Subscriptions are available.)
| An RF-111C of No 1 Squadron
deployed to Aircraft Research and Development Unit (ARDU) at RAAF Edinburgh late last
month to undergo a trial fitment of an underwing pod containing an electro-optical sensor
in readiness for flight tests to be conducted by the Defence Science and Technology
Organisation (DSTO) over the next few months.The F-111 will carry the DB-110 Raptor pod as part
of the JP129 Risk Mitigation Phase, involving the Defence Acquisitions Organisation,
Aerospace Development, DSTO and ARDU. The trials program will also contribute towards part
of ongoing assessments of the Australian Defence Force’s surveillance and
reconnaissance requirements. |
RF-111C A8-134 trialing the Raytheon
DB-110 Raptor Pod
(Photos courtesy of ARDU and 92WG Photo)
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| The DB-110 concept
demonstrator is a long-range oblique electro-optical sensor developed by Raytheon System
Company Inc, Lexington USA, that images in both the visible and infrared frequencies of
the spectrum. This means that the sensor is able to gather imagery during the day or at
night. The concept demonstrator version of the sensor records image data onto digital
tape. The signal is extracted from the tape, calibrated and screened at a ground station.
The production system, through data linking, will be able to forward image signals to the
ground station for near real time calibration and analysis.The concept demonstrator has been adapted for fit
to, and control by, the F-111 by Raytheon Systems Company, Australia, and will be cleared
for flight by ARDU. FLTLT Graeme Nayler of ARDU will guide image flight schedules.
Fitment of the DB-110 is for trial
purposes only and does not necessarily mean that the F-111 fleet will get this sensor for
operational use. An investigatory study indicated that the F-111 had the ability,
availability and power to carry the DB-110. The initial test flight is scheduled for July
12, after which the pod will be flown during exercises in northern Australia to determine
the effectiveness of such a sensor system under Australian operational conditions. DSTO
will study the interoperability of such a system and the performance capability in
Australia’s northern climatic conditions |
Closeup of the Raython DB-110 Raptor
Pod
(Photos courtesy of
ARDU and 92WG Photo) |
Under operational conditions, however, a
production-model sensor would be able to interface with the aircraft navigation systems to
automatically point at and image targets from long distances - at ranges where aircrews
may not be able to see the target. According to the Commanding Officer of No 1 Squadron,
Wing Commander Kym Osley, this capability would allow the reconnaissance variant of the
F-111 to obtain imagery at stand-off distances, which is "analogous to the stand-off
weapons already employed by the F-111." |
| Flight Lieutenant Nayler said
that another advantage of the system is that it is capable of data-linking information in
real time back to a ground station. This contrasts with current reconnaissance procedures
that may take a lengthy period to exploit intelligence information from photographic film. |
Also see the "Fight's On at Green Flag" article republished here.
Contact
Strike Publications
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http://www.air-power.com.au |
The previous issue, Vol3 No.4,
includes:
25 pages of F-111C/G and EF-111A articles, as well as articles about
the F-22, USN F-14s, Virginian F-16s, Hungarian Hinds, French Maritime Patrol and Finish
Lead-in-Fighters.
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