yasin_khan
New Member
Initial flight testing of an extensive modernization package for the U.S. Air Force’s A-10 close air support aircraft will begin in December 2004. The Precision Engagement (PE) program aims to upgrade the twin-engine, single-seat “Warthog†so it will remain effective through 2028. Field installations of production PE kits by the Ogden (Utah) Air Logistics Center are scheduled to begin in Sept. 2005 following operational testing. A total of 356 A-10s and forward air controller OA-10s built between 1978 and 1982 will receive the upgrade through 2009.
The A-10s, which are flown by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve in addition to active Air Force units, will receive a new “glass†cockpit that includes two 5x5-inch multi-function color display screens, digital controls and a new integrated flight and fire control computer. The GPS satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition family, as well as the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, will be integrated on the aircraft. The PE upgrade also will give the A-10 an external targeting pod capability – it will be able to carry either the Northrop Grumman Litening AT or the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR pod, both of which are being purchased by the Air Force, on an underwing pylon. The pods, which include long-range TV and infrared cameras with zoom capabilities and a laser target designator, will enable the pilot to identify targets from medium altitudes on the order of 20,000 to 30,000 feet day or night and “illuminate†them for homing, laser-guided bombs. The A-10s also are slated to get a Joint Tactical Radio System-based tactical data link to improve their pilot’s battlefield situational awareness. The Warthog, officially called the Thunderbolt II, will retain its awesome primary weapon – a 30mm seven-barrel Gatling gun.
Air Force Lt. Col. Bob “Mumbles†Silva, chief of the A-10 requirements branch at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., said PE will give the aircraft an all-weather, precision weapons capability that it never had before. In addition, the targeting pod will help reduce mistaken attacks on friendly forces and noncombatants by giving the pilot a close look at potential targets on the ground, he said. The upgrade also adds “hands-on throttle and stick†controls that will allow the pilot to change radio frequencies, display menus and other settings and drop bombs without having to look down. Silva said the Air Force, as a result of its Iraq War experience, has accelerated the PE program by nine months. The first fully trained squadron of A-10s with the PE upgrade, likely an Air National Guard unit, should become operational in the summer of 2006, he said.The Air Force also plans to upgrade the existing General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines on the A-10s, beginning the effort in earnest in fiscal 2006. Components of the existing engine will be replaced. In particular, a more efficient fan section with wider blades will be installed by General Electric along with digital engine controls. Flight testing of the revamped engine is slated to begin in fiscal 2008 and production in 2009-2010.
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego (N.Y.) is the prime contractor for all A-10 upgrades and heads a team that includes BAE Systems’ Controls division, Northrop Grumman and the Southwest Research Institute.
http://www.isrjournal.com/story.php?F=360364
The A-10s, which are flown by the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve in addition to active Air Force units, will receive a new “glass†cockpit that includes two 5x5-inch multi-function color display screens, digital controls and a new integrated flight and fire control computer. The GPS satellite-guided Joint Direct Attack Munition family, as well as the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser, will be integrated on the aircraft. The PE upgrade also will give the A-10 an external targeting pod capability – it will be able to carry either the Northrop Grumman Litening AT or the Lockheed Martin Sniper XR pod, both of which are being purchased by the Air Force, on an underwing pylon. The pods, which include long-range TV and infrared cameras with zoom capabilities and a laser target designator, will enable the pilot to identify targets from medium altitudes on the order of 20,000 to 30,000 feet day or night and “illuminate†them for homing, laser-guided bombs. The A-10s also are slated to get a Joint Tactical Radio System-based tactical data link to improve their pilot’s battlefield situational awareness. The Warthog, officially called the Thunderbolt II, will retain its awesome primary weapon – a 30mm seven-barrel Gatling gun.
Air Force Lt. Col. Bob “Mumbles†Silva, chief of the A-10 requirements branch at Air Combat Command, Langley Air Force Base, Va., said PE will give the aircraft an all-weather, precision weapons capability that it never had before. In addition, the targeting pod will help reduce mistaken attacks on friendly forces and noncombatants by giving the pilot a close look at potential targets on the ground, he said. The upgrade also adds “hands-on throttle and stick†controls that will allow the pilot to change radio frequencies, display menus and other settings and drop bombs without having to look down. Silva said the Air Force, as a result of its Iraq War experience, has accelerated the PE program by nine months. The first fully trained squadron of A-10s with the PE upgrade, likely an Air National Guard unit, should become operational in the summer of 2006, he said.The Air Force also plans to upgrade the existing General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofan engines on the A-10s, beginning the effort in earnest in fiscal 2006. Components of the existing engine will be replaced. In particular, a more efficient fan section with wider blades will be installed by General Electric along with digital engine controls. Flight testing of the revamped engine is slated to begin in fiscal 2008 and production in 2009-2010.
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego (N.Y.) is the prime contractor for all A-10 upgrades and heads a team that includes BAE Systems’ Controls division, Northrop Grumman and the Southwest Research Institute.
http://www.isrjournal.com/story.php?F=360364
