Bluezoo
06-15-2005, 01:20 PM
System Increases B-52 Target Precision
Air Force News
June 14, 2005
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Along with successfully developing a new targeting capability for the B-52 Stratofortress, 53rd Wing test managers and aircrews also demonstrated a new $8.6 million avionics system capability for the aircraft June 14.
A B-52 from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., was launched with Boeing's prototype integrated weapons interface unit that allowed the bomber to release, for the first time, eight 2,000 pound joint-direct attack munitions from the internal bomb bay. The test took place at the Utah Test and Training Range.
The unit was developed by Boeing during a two-year sustainment program aimed at replacing the four aging line replaceable units currently carried in the B-52. The June 14 demonstration showed that the prototype interface unit, when fully developed and qualified for production, is capable of replacing the existing replaceable units and as a result, extending the combat role of the B-52.
The test sortie also demonstrated the B-52's capability to increase the number of JDAM weapons the B-52 can carry from 12 to 20, an increase of 60 percent. There is no existing program to formally pursue this capability, however, the demonstration allowed proof of the concept and provides future risk reduction.
Wing officials have also developed a new targeting capability for the B-52. Its newest modification involves a radio-modified targeting pod known as the litening intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pod and ground-based radio receiver equipment, collectively known as "Rover." ....
For the full article, go to:
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,usaf1_061405.00.html
Air Force News
June 14, 2005
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Along with successfully developing a new targeting capability for the B-52 Stratofortress, 53rd Wing test managers and aircrews also demonstrated a new $8.6 million avionics system capability for the aircraft June 14.
A B-52 from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., was launched with Boeing's prototype integrated weapons interface unit that allowed the bomber to release, for the first time, eight 2,000 pound joint-direct attack munitions from the internal bomb bay. The test took place at the Utah Test and Training Range.
The unit was developed by Boeing during a two-year sustainment program aimed at replacing the four aging line replaceable units currently carried in the B-52. The June 14 demonstration showed that the prototype interface unit, when fully developed and qualified for production, is capable of replacing the existing replaceable units and as a result, extending the combat role of the B-52.
The test sortie also demonstrated the B-52's capability to increase the number of JDAM weapons the B-52 can carry from 12 to 20, an increase of 60 percent. There is no existing program to formally pursue this capability, however, the demonstration allowed proof of the concept and provides future risk reduction.
Wing officials have also developed a new targeting capability for the B-52. Its newest modification involves a radio-modified targeting pod known as the litening intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pod and ground-based radio receiver equipment, collectively known as "Rover." ....
For the full article, go to:
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,usaf1_061405.00.html