David
Thu January 16, 2003 10:39am
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HH-60H Seahawk
Function: Twin-engine, medium lift, Combat Search and Rescue and Special Operations Support helicopter.
Description: The HH-60H Seahawk is a twin-engine helicopter used by the Navy in a CSAR/SOS role. Based on the SH-60 airframe (The Naval variant of the basic S-60 Blackhawk utility helicopter) the HH-60H has been optimized for low level insertions and extractions, self defense, enemy small arms fire suppression, and bulk cargo and troop transport. The H variant is also equipped with an externally mounted hoist and is configured for low level night operations with Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible instruments and anti-collision aircraft running lights. The HH-60H is capable of transporting a 6,000 pound load externally, and it's gross carrying capacity is rated at 7,400 pounds.
General Characteristics, HH-60H Seahawk
Contractors:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (airframe); General Electric Company (engines); IBM Corporation (avionics components)
Power Plant:
Two General Electric T700-GE-401C engines producing 1,700 shaft horse power each
Length:
64 feet 10 inches (19.6 meters)
Height:
17 feet 2 inches (5.1 meters)
Rotor Diameter:
17 feet 2 inches (5.1 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight:
21,884 pounds (9,927 kilograms)
Speed:
180 knots maximum
Ceiling:
14,700 feet (4,410 meters)
Range:
380 nautical miles (600 km) maximum
Crew:
Four plus up to eight passengers
Navigation Sensors:
VHF/UHF DF
TACAN
TACNAV
Doppler Radar
Radar Altimeter
GPS (Provisions)
Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) system
Armament:
Variable, but may include any combination of the following:
GCAL-50 machine gun
GAU-17A 7.62mm minigun
2.75" Hydra 70 Folding Fin Aerial Rocket pods
FIM-92A Stinger Surface to Air Missiles
AGM-65 Maverick Air to Ground Missiles
AGM-114 Hellfire Air to Ground Missiles
Countermeasures:
Infrared (IR) Jamming System
Chaff and Flare Dispensers (2)
Radar Warning Receiver
Hover IR Suppressor System
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 10:39am
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HH/MH-60G Pave Hawk
Function: Twin-engine, medium lift, Combat Search and Rescue and Special Operations Support helicopter.
Description: The HH/MH-60G Pave Hawk is a twin-engine helicopter used by the Airforce in a CSAR/SOS role. Based on the basic S-60 Blackhawk utility helicopter airframe, the Pave Hawk has been optimized for low level insertions and extractions, self defense, enemy small arms fire suppression, and bulk cargo and troop transport. To extend their range, Pave Hawks are equipped with a retractable in-flight refueling probe and internal auxiliary fuel tanks. The HH/MH-60G variant is also equipped with an externally mounted 600 pound capacity hoist and sliding doors on each side of the troop and cargo compartment to allow rapid loading and unloading. The HH/MH-60G is capable of transporting a 8,000 pound load externally and can be equipped with the external stores support system.
General Characteristics, HH/MH-60G Pave Hawk
Contractors:
United Technologies/Sikorsky Aircraft Company
Power Plant:
Two General Electric T700-GE-700 or T700-GE-701C engines producing 1,560-1,630 shaft horsepower
Length:
64 feet, 8 inches (17.1 meters)
Height:
16 feet, 8 inches (4.4 meters)
Rotor Diameter:
53 feet 8 inches (16.4 meters)
Maximum Take-off Weight:
22,000 pounds (9,900 kilograms)
Speed:
180 knots maximum
Range:
504 nautical miles (unlimited with air refueling)
Crew:
Two pilots, one flight engineer, one gunner and up to 10 troops
Navigation Sensors:
VHF/UHF DF
TACAN
TACNAV
Doppler Radar
Radar Altimeter
GPS (Provisions)
Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) system
Armament:
Variable, but may include any combination of the following:
Two GCAL-50 machine guns
Two GAU-17A 7.62mm miniguns
2.75" Hydra 70 Folding Fin Aerial Rocket pods
FIM-92A Stinger Surface to Air Missiles
AGM-65 Maverick Air to Ground Missiles
AGM-114 Hellfire Air to Ground Missiles
Countermeasures:
Infrared (IR) Jamming System
Chaff and Flare Dispensers (2)
Radar Warning Receiver
Hover IR Suppressor System
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 6:05pm
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A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II
Function: The A-10 and OA-10 Thunderbolt IIs are the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close air support of ground forces. They are simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
History: The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, AZ, in October 1975. It was designed specially for the close air support mission and had the ability to combine large military loads, long loiter and wide combat radius, which proved to be vital assets to America and its allies during Operation Desert Storm. In the Gulf War, A-10s, with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
Description: The A-10/OA-10 have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms. They can loiter near battle areas for extended periods of time and operate under 1,000-foot ceilings (303.3 meters) with 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometers) visibility. Their wide combat radius and short takeoff and landing capability permit operations in and out of locations near front lines. Using night vision goggles, A-10/ OA-10 pilots can conduct their missions during darkness.
Thunderbolt IIs have Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), compatible single-seat cockpits forward of their wings and a large bubble canopy which provides pilots all-around vision. The pilots are encircled by titanium armor that also protects parts of the flight-control system. The redundant primary structural sections allow the aircraft to enjoy better survivability during close air support than did previous aircraft. The aircraft can survive direct hits from armor-piercing and high-explosive projectiles up to 23mm. Their self-sealing fuel cells are protected by internal and external foam. Their redundant hydraulic flight-control systems are backed up by manual systems. This permits pilots to fly and land when hydraulic power is lost.
The Thunderbolt II can be serviced and operated from bases with limited facilities near battle areas. Many of the aircraft's parts are interchangeable left and right, including the engines, main landing gear and vertical stabilizers.
Avionics equipment includes communications, inertial navigation systems, fire control and weapons delivery systems, target penetration aids and night vision goggles. Their weapons delivery systems include head-up displays that indicate airspeed, altitude and dive angle on the windscreen, a low altitude safety and targeting enhancement system (LASTE) which provides constantly computing impact point freefall ordnance delivery; and Pave Penny laser-tracking pods under the fuselage. The aircraft also have armament control panels, and infrared and electronic countermeasures to handle surface-to-air-missile threats.
The Thunderbolt II's 30mm GAU-8/A Gatling gun can fire 3,900 rounds a minute and can defeat an array of ground targets to include tanks. Some of their other equipment includes an inertial navigation system, electronic countermeasures, target penetration aids, self-protection systems, and AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.
?General Characteristics, A-10/OA-10 Thunderbolt II
Contractor:
Fairchild Republic Co.
Unit Cost:
$8.8 million
Power Plant:
Two General Electric TF34-GE-100 turbofans
Thrust:
9,065 pounds each engine
Length:
53 feet, 4 inches (16.16 meters)
Height:
14 feet, 8 inches (4.42 meters)
Wingspan:
57 feet, 6 inches (17.42 meters)
Maximum Take-off Weight:
51,000 pounds (22,950 kilograms)
Speed:
420 mph (Mach 0.56)
Ceiling:
45,000 feet (13,636 meters)
Speed:
565 mph (Mach 0.86) at 25,000 feet (7583.3 meters), with maximum takeoff weight
Load:
Up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations
Range:
800 miles (695 nautical miles)
Armament:
One 30 mm GAU-8/A seven-barrel Gatling gun
Up to 16,000 pounds (7,200 kilograms) of mixed ordnance on eight under-wing and three under-fuselage pylon stations, including 500 pounds (225 kilograms) of retarded bombs, 2,000 pounds (900 kilograms) of general-purpose bombs, incendiary and Rockeye II cluster bombs, combined effects munitions, Maverick missiles and laser-guided/electro-optically guided bombs
Infrared countermeasure flares
Electronic countermeasure chaff
Jammer pods
2.75-inch (6.99 centimeters) rockets
Illumination flares
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles
Crew:
One
Planned Inventory:
Active force, A-10, 72 and OA-10, 72
Reserve, A-10, 24 and OA-10, 12
ANG, A-10, 64 and OA-10, 30
Date Deployed:
March 1976
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 6:05pm
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AV-8B Harrier II
Function: The mission of the VMA STOVL squadron is to attack and destroy surface and air targets, to escort helicopters, and to conduct other such air operations as may be directed. Specific tasks of the AV-8B HARRIER II include:
- Conduct close air support using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct deep air support, to include armed reconnaissance and air interdiction, using conventional and specific weapons.
- Conduct offensive and defensive antiair warfare. This includes combat air patrol, armed escort missions, and offensive missions against enemy ground-to-air defenses, all within the capabilities of the aircraft.
- Be able to operate and deliver ordnance at night and to operate under instrument flight conditions.
- Be able to deploy for extended operations employing aerial refueling.
- Be able to deploy to and operate from carriers and other suitable seagoing platforms, advanced bases, expeditionary airfields, and remote tactical landing sites.
History: Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was highlighted by expeditionary air operations performed by the AV-8B. The Harrier II was the first Marine Corps tactical strike platform to arrive in theater, and subsequently operated from various basing postures. Three squadrons, totaling 60 aircraft, and one six-aircraft detachment operated ashore from an expeditionary airfield, while one squadron of 20 aircraft operated from a sea platform. During the ground war, AV-8Bs were based as close as 35 nautical miles (40.22 miles) from the Kuwait border, making them the most forward deployed tactical strike aircraft in theater. The AV-8B flew 3,380 sorties for a total of 4,083 flight hours while maintaining a mission capable rate in excess of 90 percent. Average turnaround time during the ground war surge rate flight operations was 23 minutes.
Description: The AV-8B V/STOL strike aircraft was designed to replace the AV-8A and the A-4M light attack aircraft. The Marine Corps requirement for a V/STOL light attack force has been well documented since the late 1950s. Combining tactical mobility, responsiveness, reduced operating cost and basing flexibility, both afloat and ashore, V/STOL aircraft are particularly well-suited to the special combat and expeditionary requirements of the Marine Corps. The AV-8BII+ features the APG-65 Radar common to the F/A-18, as well as all previous systems and features common to the AV-8BII.
?General Characteristics, AV-8B Harrier II
Manufacturer:
McDonnell Douglas
Unit Cost:
$23,700,000
Power Plant:
One Rolls Royce F402-RR-406 or F402-RR-408 turbofan engine
Thrust:
F402-RR-406: 21,500 pounds
F402-44-208: 23,400 pounds
Length:
46.3 feet (14.11 meters)
Wingspan:
30.3 feet (9.24 meters)
Maximum Take-off Weight:
155,000 pounds (69,750 kilograms)
Cruise Speed:
Subsonic to transonic
Ceiling:
25,000 feet (7,576 meters)
Combat Radius:
Close air support: 163 nautical miles (187.45 miles) with 30 minutes time on station
Interdiction: 454 nautical miles (522.45 miles)
Ferry Range:
2100 nautical miles (2416.64 miles)
Armament:
Seven external store stations, comprising six wing stations for AIM-9 Sidewinder and an assortment of air-to-ground weapons, external fuel tanks and AGM-65 Maverick missiles
One centerline station for DECM pod or air-to-ground ordnance; a GAU-12 25MM six-barrel gun pod can be mounted on the centerline and has a 300 round capacity with a lead computing optical sight system (LCOSS) gunsight
Crew:
One
Inventory:
Seven squadrons with 20 aircraft each and one training squadron with 20 AV-8B and 15 TAV-8B aircraft for a total of 175 aircraft
Introduction Date:
January 12, 1985
AV-8BII(Plus) introduced in June 1993
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 6:05pm
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F/A-18A Hornet
Function: Specific F/A-18A/C tasks include:
- Intercept and destroy enemy aircraft in conjunction with ground or airborne fighter control under all-weather conditions.
- Conduct day and night close air support under the weather.
- Conduct day and night deep air support, under the weather. Deep air support consists of radar search and attack, interdiction, and strikes against enemy installations using all types of weapons compatible with assigned aircraft.
- Conduct armed escort of friendly aircraft.
- Be able to operate from aircraft carriers, advanced bases, and expeditionary airfields.
- Be able to deploy or conduct extended range operations employing aerial refueling.
History: Operation Desert Storm in 1991 was the operational proving ground for the F/A-18A/C. Six single-seat F/A-18A/C squadrons deployed to SWA to participate in combat operations. These squadrons flew in excess of 4600 sorties for a total of 8864 hours while experiencing no combat losses.
Description: The Marine Corps F/A-18A/C/CN strike fighter multi-mission aircraft was designed to replace the F-4 Phantom. The F/A-18A/C/CN Hornet is missionized for traditional fighter, attack, and close air support roles through selection of external pods/equipment to accomplish specific mission objectives. Any aircraft can quickly be configured to perform either fighter or attack missions, or both, thus providing the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commander more flexibility in employing his tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing scenario. Marine F/A18s may be land-based from prepared airfields, or they can operate from expeditionary airfields (EAF). They may also be sea-based, operating from the decks of Navy aircraft carriers.
?General Characteristics, F/A-18A/C Hornet
Builder:
McDonnell Douglas
Unit Cost:
$28.1 million
Power Plant:
Two General Electric F404-GE-400 afterburning, low bypass turbofan engines
Thrust:
16,000 lbs per engine
Length:
56 feet (17.06 meters)
Wingspan:
37.5 feet (11.43 meters)
Cruise Speed:
High subsonic to supersonic
Ferry Range:
Over 2,000 nautical miles (2,300 miles)
Combat Radius:
Fighter mission: 400 nautical miles (460 miles)
Attack mission: 575 nautical miles (661.25 miles)
Crew:
One
Armament:
Nine external wing stations, comprising two wingtip stations for an assortment of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including AIM-7 Sparrows, AIM-9 Sidewinders, AMRAAMs, AGM-84 Harpoons and AGM-65 Maverick missiles
Two inboard wing stations for external fuel tanks or air-to-ground stations
Two nacelle fuselage stations for Sparrows or AN/AAS-38 Forward Looking Infrared Radar (FLIR) pods
Center station for fuel tank or air-to-ground weapons
Air-to-ground weapons include GBU-10 and -12 laser guided bombs, Mk 80 series general purpose bombs, and CBU-59 cluster bombs
AN M61 20mm six-barrel gun mounted in the nose, with McDonnell Douglas director gunsight
Inventory:
10 active and four reserve squadrons with 12 planes each, for a total of 168 planes
Introduction Date:
March 1983
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 6:05pm
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S-3B Viking
Function: Jet aircraft is used in the detection and attack of submarines, and as an armed scout in the anti-surface role. Extremely versatile, the aircraft is also equipped for tanking, mining, and limited electronic surveillance.
Description: Modified from the earlier S-3A Viking, the S-3B's high speed computer system processes information generated by the acoustic and non-acoustic target sensor systems. This includes a new Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) and ESM systems suites. To destroy targets, the S-3B Viking employs an impressive array of airborne weaponry. This provides the fleet with a very effective airborne capability to combat the significant threat presented by modern combatants and submarines. Additionally, all S-3B aircraft are capable of carrying an inflight refueling "buddy" store. This allows the transfer of fuel from the Viking aircraft to other Naval strike aircraft, thus extending their combat radius.
General Characteristics, S-3B Viking
Contractor:
Lockheed-California Company
Unit Cost:
$27 million
Propulsion:
Two General Electric TF-34-GE-400B turbofan engines (9,275 pounds of thrust each)
Length:
53 feet 4 inches (16 meters)
Height:
322 feet 9 inches (6.9 meters)
Wingspan:
68 feet 8 inches (20.6 meters)
Weight:
Maximum design gross take-off: 52,539 pounds (23,643 kilograms)
Maximum Speed:
450 knots (518 mph, 828.8 kph)
Ceiling:
40,000 feet
Range:
2,300+ nautical miles (2,645 statute miles, 4232 kilometers)
Armament:
Up to 3,958 pounds (1,781 kilograms) of AGM-84 Harpoon and AGM-65 Maverick missiles, torpedoes, mines, rockets and bombs
Crew:
Four
Initial Operational Capability:
1975
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David
Thu January 16, 2003 11:24pm
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AGM-65 Maverick
Function: The AGM-65 Maverick is a tactical, air-to-surface guided missile designed for close air support, interdiction and defense suppression mission. It provides stand-off capability and high probability of strike against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, transportation equipment and fuel storage facilities.
Description: The Maverick is a modular design weapon. A different combination of the guidance package and warhead can be attached to the rocket motor section to produce a different weapon. The Maverick has three different seekers and two different warheads. The solid-rocket motor propulsion section is common to all variants. The seeker options are electro-optical (EO) imaging, imaging infrared (IR) or a laser guidance package. The warhead is in the missile's center section. Either a 125-pound shaped-charge warhead or a 300-pound penetrator warhead can be used. A contact fuse in the nose fires the shaped-charge warhead. The penetrator uses a delayed-fuse, allowing the warhead to penetrate the target with its kinetic energy before firing. The latter is very effective against large, hard targets. The AGM-65 has a cylindrical body with long-chord delta wings and tail control surfaces mounted close to the trailing edge of the wing of the aircraft using it.
A-10, F-15E and F-16 aircraft carry Mavericks. As many as six Mavericks can be carried by an aircraft, usually in three round, underwing clusters, allowing the pilot to engage several targets on one mission. The missile also has "launch-and-leave" capability that enables a pilot to fire it and immediately take evasive action or attack another target as the missile guides itself to the target. Mavericks can be launched from high altitudes to tree-top level and can hit targets ranging from a distance of a few thousand feet to 13 nautical miles at medium altitude.
Maverick B models have an electro-optical television guidance system. After the protective dome cover is automatically removed from the nose of the missile and its video circuitry activated, the scene viewed by the guidance system appears on a cockpit television screen. The pilot selects the target, centers cross hairs on it, locks on, then launches the missile. The Maverick B also has a screen magnification capability that enables the pilot to identify and lock on smaller and more distant targets.
The Maverick D has an imaging infrared guidance system, operated much like that of the A and B models, except that infrared video overcomes the daylight-only, adverse weather limitations of the other system. The infrared Maverick D can track heat generated by a target and provide the pilot a pictorial display of the target during darkness and hazy or inclement weather.
The Maverick E model is the only version having the laser-guided seeker section. It uses the heavyweight penetrator warhead. The U.S. Marine Corps are the only users of this variant.
The Maverick F is a naval variant of the D/G model (IR) currently in use by the U.S. Navy. It also uses the 300-pound penetrator warhead.
The Maverick G model essentially has the same guidance system as the D, with some software modifications that track larger targets. The G model's major difference is its heavyweight penetrator warhead, while Maverick B and D models employ the shaped-charge warhead.
Maverick K models are currently in development. They were developed by taking a G model and replacing the IR guidance system with an electro-optical (EO) television guidance system.
History: The Air Force accepted the first AGM-65A Maverick in August 1972. A total of 25,750 A and B Mavericks were purchased by the Air Force. Maverick As have recently been phased out of the inventory.
The Air Force is exploring the possibility of converting phased out A's and near obsolete B's and making an EO version to be named AGM-65H. The software in the H would be upgraded increasing its capability. The Air Force took delivery of the first AGM-65D in October 1983, with initial operational capability in February 1986. Delivery of operational AGM-65G missiles took place in 1989.
More than 5,000 AGM-65 A/B/D/E/F/G's were employed during Operation Desert Storm, mainly attacking armored targets. Mavericks played a large part in the destruction of Iraq's significant military force.
General Characteristics, AGM-65 Maverick
Contractors:
Raytheon Systems Corporation
Power Plant:
Thiokol TX-481 solid-propellant rocket motor
Launch Weight:
AGM-65B, 462 pounds (207.90 kilograms)
AGM-65D, 485 pounds (218.25 kilograms)
AGM-65E, 777 pounds (353.2 kilograms)
AGM-65F, 804 pounds (365.5 kilograms)
AGM-65G, 670 pounds (301.50 kilograms)
AGM-65K, 793 pounds (360.45 kilograms)
Diameter:
1 foot (30.48 centimeters)
Wingspan:
2 feet, 4 inches (71.12 centimeters)
Range:
Classified
Speed:
Classified
Aircraft:
Used aboard A-10, F-15E and F-16
Warhead:
AGM-65B/D: 125 pounds (56.25 kilograms), cone shaped
AGM-65E/F/G/K: 300 pounds (135 kilograms) delayed-fuse penetrator, heavyweight
Guidance System:
AGM-65B/K: electro-optical television
AGM-65D/F/G: imaging infrared
AGM-65E: laser guided
Inventory:
Classified
Date Deployed:
August 1972
Unit Cost:
$17,000 to $110,000 depending on the Maverick variant
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David
Fri January 17, 2003 6:38pm
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The first production A-10
The first production A-10A was delivered to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., in October 1975. It was designed specially for the close air support mission and had the ability to combine large military loads, long loiter and wide combat radius, which proved to be vital assets to America and its allies during Operation Desert Storm. In the Gulf War, A-10s, with a mission capable rate of 95.7 percent, flew 8,100 sorties and launched 90 percent of the AGM-65 Maverick missiles.
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David
Tue February 11, 2003 2:01pm
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LANTIRN
Function: Aircraft targeting and low-altitude navigation system.
Description: Designated as the Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, LANTIRN is a system for use on the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16C/D Falcon and the F-14 Tomcat. LANTIRN significantly increases the combat effectiveness of these aircraft, allowing them to fly at low altitudes, at night and under-the-weather to attack ground targets with a variety of precision-guided and unguided weapons. The LANTIRN system consists of two externally mounted pods, an AN/AAQ-13 navigation pod and a AN/AAQ-14.
The navigation pod provides high-speed penetration and precision attack on tactical targets at night and in adverse weather. The navigation pod also contains a terrain-following radar and a fixed infrared sensor, which provides a visual cue and input to the aircraft's flight control system, enabling it to maintain a pre-selected altitude above the terrain and avoid obstacles. This sensor displays an infrared image of the terrain in front of the aircraft, to the pilot, on a head-up display. The navigation pod enables the pilot to fly along the general contour of the terrain at high speed, using mountains, valleys and the cover of darkness to avoid detection.
The targeting pod contains a high-resolution, forward-looking infrared sensor (which displays an infrared image of the target to the pilot), a laser designator-rangefinder for precise delivery of laser-guided munitions, a missile boresight correlator for automatic lock-on of AGM-65D imaging infrared Maverick missiles, and software for automatic target tracking. These features simplify the functions of target detection, recognition and attack and permit F-16 pilots to attack targets with precision-guided weapons on a single pass.
History: The research and development program began in September 1980 with Martin Marietta Corporation as contractor. Initial operational test and evaluation of the LANTIRN navigation pod was successfully completed in December 1984. The Air Force approved low rate initial production of the navigation pod in March 1985 and full-rate production in November 1986. The first production pod was delivered to the Air Force on March 31, 1987.
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