Air Power & multi role fighter Aircraft
Kota Harinarayana
IITB,10-8-15
* War and technology have always been linked very closely.
* Indeed, without technology, there would probably been no war.
* From the first day that technology was introduced to war, it has helped toshape the latter.
* Whereas weapons have always helped to determine tactics,
*Tactics in turn helped determine organization, operations, logistics,commands and control systems.
* Hence the quest for technological superiority is eternal.
* New weapons such as artillery, ships, tanks, submarines, and aircraftschanged the course of war.
WAR & TECHNOLOGY
Among the front ranking weapon systems, Aircraft has the biggest impact on the military operations and outcome of the war. It is now acknowledged world over by all military and strategic thinkers and planners that a war is not winnable unless one has air superiority
AIR POWER
AIR SUPERIORITY & WINNGING THE WAR
• It was during the Second World War, fighter aircraft andbombers were used extensively and they shaped theoutcome of war in many theatres
• In the post-Second World War period, the role of airpowerincreased by leaps and bounds
• It is now acknowledged world over by all military andstrategic thinkers and planners that a war is not winnableunless one has air superiority
• Indeed no nation enjoying air superiority has ever lost awar by the force of enemy arms
Air supremacy is a position in war where one side holds complete control of air warfare and air power over opposing forces. It is defined as the"degree of air superiority wherein the opposing air force is incapable of effective interference
AIR SUPREMACY
Air superiority is the second level, where a side is in a more favorable position than the opponent.
It is defined in the NATO glossary as the "degree of dominance in [an] air battle ...
that permits the conduct of operations by [one side] and its related land, sea and air forces
at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by opposing air forces."[2
]
Air parity is the lowest level of control, where a side only holds control of skies above friendly troop positions
AIR SUPERIORITY & WINNING THE WAR
• In the Gulf War of 1991, the coalition forces led by USAdecimated Iraq by using only Air Power
• In the Kosov campaign, once again the forces led by USAwon using Air Power
• In the Afghan War, USA destroyed Taliban bases using onlyAir Power
• In the Kargil conflict, it was the use of fighter aircraft withprecision guided bombs that forced the adversary towithdraw his forces
• In the recent Libyan war, NATO Air Power played adecisive role
1. Attack Aircraft•An Attack Aircraft/Strike Aircraft is a class of aircraft designedto attack targets on ground and sea.
•The primary difference from bombers is their low service ceiling andgreater accuracy.
•Other roles include close air support for ground operationsand tactical air interdiction.Weapons include Laser Guided Munitions, rockets, anti-tank missilesand automatic canons.
Examples include Fairchild Republic A10 Thunderbolt II( USAF),Sukhoi Su-25 Frogfoot( VVS).
Types of Aircraft
2. Bomber Aircraft•Bomber aircraft are a class of aircraft designated the role of attacking ground/sea targets by dropping bombs or torpedoes on them.•Though recently, they have also been equipped with cruise missiles for increased efficiency.
•Bomber aircraft may be classified as strategic bombers( generally heavy bombers with a long range of operation) or tactical bombers( small, lighter aircraft with shorter operation range operating directly in the theater of war)
•Weapons solely include bombs( LGBs as well as 'dumbs').
•The category of tactical bombers has blurred considerably today due to the development of multi-role aircraft, which are capable of performing several roles.
•Also, bomber aircraft include torpedo bombers, primarily used against sea targets.
•Examples of strategic bombers include the legendary Boeing B-52 Startofortress, Rockwell B-1B Lancer, Lockheed F-111 Nighthawk, Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, Tupolev Tu-160.
3. Fighter aircraft•Fighter aircraft are a class of airplanes designed for air to air combat
with other aircraft in an offensive or defensive role.
•These aircraft are light, agile, fast and highly maneuverable.
•They may also have secondary ground attack capabilities.
•Fighter aircraft are capable of carrying missiles, rockets and canons.
•They are often classified into three categories, primarily depending on their roles, viz. Air Superiority Fighters( aircraft designed to gain control of enemy airspaceand establish complete air dominance),Interceptors( aircraft designed to quickly scramble and destroy incoming enemy aircraftfrom a long distance) and Fighter Bombers( fighter aircraft with ground attack capabilities.)
•Examples of Air Superiority fighters: Sukhoi Su-30 MKI,Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor, Eurofighter Typhoon
•Examples of Interceptor aircraft: Mikoyan MiG-21 ,Mikoyan MiG-31, Panavia Tornado (ADV).
4. Electronic Warfare Aircraft
•These aircraft are designed to jam and hinder the functioning of enemy radar and communication systems.
•These include General Dynamics EF-111A Raven( a heavily modified version of F-111 Aardvark) and Lockheed EC-130H
5. Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems( AEW&CS)
•These aircraft are airborne radar systems used to detect enemy aircraft and ships at long ranges.
•They also control and co-ordinate air operations in an area.
•These aircraft are crucial for IFF( Identification Friend or Foe).
•They operate at very high altitudes for a long period
•Currently operating AEW&CS are Boeing E-3 Sentry, EL/W-2090 fitted on Ilyushin Il-76 platform.
6. Transport Aircraft
•Military Transport aircraft are used in the logistical role,with the task of transporting of troops and supplies.
•The supplies can also be dropped by parachutes( so can the troops).
•These aircraft also fulfill the roles "aerial tankers", i.e. refueling aircraft mid-airto extend their operating range.
Aircraft have been specifically modified for this role.
•Sometimes they are also used as bomb trucks, i.e. bombs are dropped from their cargo holds. An example - Antonov An-32.
•Some active Transport aircraft are Ilyushin Il-75, Antonov An-124, Boeing c-17 Globemaster, Boeing C-5 Galaxy,c-130,DO-228,HS-748
7. Multi-Role Combat Aircraft
•These are fighter aircraft, capable of switching roles, according to mission requirements.
•The "Swing Role" ability( the ability to quickly switch roles between air-air combat or air-ground strike role in the same mission) is what makes these aircraft versatile.
•This reduces cost, increases effectiveness and enhances interoperability with allied air forces
•Hence, these aircraft are the most used aircraft in any air force in the world.
•Currently serving aircraft are General Dynamics F-16 falcon, Lockheed Martin F/A-18 Hornet, Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Dassault Rafael, SAAB JAS-39 Gripen, LCA-Tejas
8. Trainer Aircraft•Always in the background, but as important as other types of aircraft, trainer aircraft play the role to train pilots.
•Training may be in Basic trainers, Intermediate trainers or Advanced trainers.
•Air forces over the world use double seated trainers.
Evolution of Fighters
* While manned aircraft have played decisive role in the conduct of war there is a definite shift to unmanned aircraft
* Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have experienced exponential growth in the recent history all over the world.
*The dull, dirty and dangerous missions are most suitable for UAVs.
* The size of the aircraft is not constrained by life support elements and size of the persons.
* Over a period, the unmanned airpower can be carried in a back pack with commensurate capabilities
Expanding roles of UAVs
Segment
Definition
Take-off
Wing Span (m)
Mission Max Alt (m)
Max TOW (Kg)
Projects / Products
BLO
S
RemarksRang
e (km)
Endurance (hrs)
International
India
Tactical
Short Range
Catapult
5-10 70-200
3-6 400 Nishant
No Nishant in production
Medium Range
Runway
10+ > 200 6-10 800 Hermes, Hertil, Ranger
Rustom-1
No Rustom-1 in advanced dev
MALE Med Alt Long Endurance
Runway
20 -- > 24 10,000
2500 Predator, Heron
Rustom-2
Yes Rustom-2 in dev at ADE
Mini
Min Hand Launch/Bungee
1-3 5-20 1 hr 4000 (AGL–300)
3.0 Skylark Indian Eagle / Slybird
No Dev completed
VTOL
Vertical TO & landing
Vertical
3+ 2 < 10 6,000 200 Fire scout, Camp Copter 5-100
No* No * No Indian programs yet small vehicles being developed at IIT-K
Strike Lethal Runway
10-20 > 200 20-40 10-20,000
> 1,000 Reaper , Fury
Targets
Short Range for practice of SAM & AA Crew
Catapult/ RATO
1 – 3 < 100
< 1 hr < 10000
100 – 700 Mirach, IRIS, BQM
Lakshya* Abhyas**
No *In service **Advanced dev
Classification of UAVs
Classification of UAVs
Segment DefinitionTake-
off
Wing Span (m)
Mission Max
Alt (m)
Max TOW (Kg)
Projects / Products
BLO
S
RemarksRang
e (km)
Endurance (hrs)
International
India
Micro UAV
Micro Hand Launch
<300 mm (0.3m)
1-2 < 1 2000 (AGL –200)
< 0.5 kg
Dragon fly
Golden Hawk, Black Kite, Pushpak
No NPMICAV program spearing heading technology development
Nano UAV
Nano Hand Launch
< 150 mm (0.19m)
<1 < 0 .5 1000(AGL -100)
<0.150
Humming Bird
DICE NO NPMICAV program spearing heading technology development
Spec
ial U
AVs
UCAV
Unmanned combat air vehicle
Runway
10-15 > 1,500
5-20 hrs
12000 5,000-15,000
Taranis Neuron
* Ghatak yes * Preliminary design
HALE
Conventional
High Altitude, Long Endurance
Runway
~ 25 > 10,000
24-48 hrs
20,000 > 8,000
Global Hawk
No projects
Yes
Solar
Runway
> 25 > 10,000
7-14 days
20,000 ? Preliminary studies
Yes
Airships
? NA -- 7-14 days
15,000 ? Yes TD at ADRDE Agra
AOC
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• World wide network• Secure• Owned and leased• Operating locations: bases, posts, camps, stations, facilities, mobile platforms, and
deployed sites
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The development of requirements for new Fighter Aircraft involves, defining threats, targetsand scenarios for the future. The major activities in the development of a requirement areshown in the figure . Current fighter requirements emphasize the need for close in combatand beyond visual range combat capability to achieve superiority in the air to air role. Highsortie rates and the ability to perform air to surface missions are also primary requirements1.
MISSION REQUIREMENTS AND AIRCRAFT SIZING
Before attempting to discuss the principal issues that must be addressed in defining a fighterrequirement, there must be clear definition of roles and functions of fighter aircraft.
1James L Parker, Mission requirements and Aircraft sizing, AGARD–R–740, 1987, pp 2–1
DEVELOP SCENARIOUS
• MILITARY GOALS• TARGETS• THREATS• AIRBASES• ENVIRONMENT
FORMULATE SYSTEM
CONCEPTS
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN &
AIRCRAFT SIZEING
DESIRED SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS SYSTEM
CONCEPT COMPARISON
PRELIMINARY REQUIREMENTS
COST EFFECTIVE DATA
ROLES AND MISSIONS OF FIGHTER AIRCRAFT
Fighter Aircraft are deployed for the following roles and missions:
Air to Air – Close Combat– Combat Air Patrol – BVR Combat – Fighter Escort / Fighter Sweep – Interception
Air to Ground – Close Air Support– Interdiction – Deep Strike – Reconnaissance
Air to sea – Anti-shipping
CLOSE COMBATClose Combat has traditionally been the very essence of Fighter Aircraft Design. Close combat issometimes referred as a dog fight because of Twisting turning manoeuvers of the combatants. Figurebelow is a graphical output from a close combat simulation:
The characteristic that is generally thought of as defining a Fighter Aircraft is its ability to manoeuvre to aposition of advantage in aerial combat and succeed in shooting down the opponent. For early fighters,the only armament was gun which was most effective upto 300m, so close combat literally meant withingun range. The addition of IR missile did little to alter the tactics. Even with the IR missile the pilot had tomanoeuvre to 6 ‘O’ clock position before missile was effective. With the introduction of new technologiesin recent years, specially the advent of all aspect missile, fighter aircraft design and tactics are changing.Agility is gaining importance over and above manoeuvrability.
Fig – One vs One, close combat situation
COMBAT AIR PATROL:
This mission consists of an aircraft patrol that is provided over a specific area for thepurpose of intercepting and destroying hostile aircraft or missiles before they reach theirtarget. The CAP objective is to secure air space for use by friendly aircraft. This missionis conducted over friendly territory, over FEBA (Forward Edge of Battle Arena) or beyondFEBA.
An engagement between opposing aircraft may begin at beyond visual range and end indog fight. Typical BVR engagement begins at 40 to 50nm, whereas, close combat starts at3nm. With improvement in reliability of long range missiles, better detection andidentification capability, BVR Combat assumes importance. The manoeuvres in BVRcombat are not as violent as in close combat.
BEYOND VISUAL RANGE COMBAT:
FIGHTER ESCORT / FIGHTER SWEEP:
The Fighter escort mission is the dedication of Fighter Aircraft to protect or defend friendlyground attack aircraft during the mission. Fighter sweep is an offensive mission byFighter Aircraft to seek out and destroy enemy aircraft or targets of opportunity in anallotted area of operation.
CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (CAS) :
The close air support mission involves air action against hostile targets that are in closeproximity to friendly forces and requires detailed integration with fire and movement ofthese forces.
Interdiction missions are designed to destroy, neutralize or delay the enemy’s militarypotential before it can be brought to bear effectively against friendly forces. Thesemissions are conducted away from friendly ground forces and hence integration with thefire and movement of these forces is not required.
INTERDICTION:
DEEP STRIKE:
The counter air operation is conducted either by(a) destroying enemy aircraft in aerial combat(b) by destroying them on ground or(c) Neutralizing their operating bases
Deep strike is launched for neutralizing their operating bases so that enemy aircraft areprevented from being operated from their bases.
BATTLE AREA
AIRBASE DEFENSE
COMBAT AIR PATROL
CLOSE AIRSUPPORT
AIRBASE STRIKE
DEFENSESUPPRESSION
AIRBASEDEFENSE
AIRBASESTRIKE
INTERDICTION
INTERDICTION
SURFACETO AIR
ROLES OF COMBAT AIRCRAFT
Example of an air superiority mission
MISSIONS – FIGHTER REQUIREMENTS – ASSESSMENT OF THREATS
The typical requirements of a Fighter Aircraft are:
– PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:MISSION PROFILESMANOEUVRABILITY / AGILITYLANDING & TAKE OFF DISTANCES
– OBSERVABLES (RADAR / IR SIGNATURES) – AVIONICS FUNCTIONS AND CAPABILITIES– SUSTAINABILITY:
MEANTIME BETWEEN FAILURES MEANTIME TO REPAIR
– COST:ACQUISITION COST LIFE CYCLE COST
All of the requirements listed contribute to the ability of the fighter to perform its mission.Each of the requirements contribute to the cost of the fighter. Consequently it must beshown that it is needed. A rationale used to arrive at the performance goals is that amargin is needed over the threat to assure success in the mission. Hence, appreciationand assessment of threat is vital.
THE MISSIONS AND THE THREATS
THREAT DEFINITION:
The threats to aircraft have been defined as those elements of man madeenvironment designed to reduce the ability of an aircraft to perform missionrelated function by :
Inflicting damaging effectsForcing undesirable manoeuvres or Degrading system effectiveness
The hostile environment is made up of numerous threat elements. In theprocess of design, it is essential that all the threat elements and their effectsare completely and accurately considered.
THREAT CHARACTERISTICS
Threat types
Types of threat are depicted here:
Non-Terminal
Detection
Identification
Tracking
Communications
Terminal
Propagator
Platform
Projectile
Missile
Radiation
Gun
Surface Launcher
Airborne Interceptor
Dir. EnergyDevice
Small Arms
AAA
SAMS
AAM
Laser
EMP
Particle Beam
In general threat elements are grouped into two types:
NON TERMINAL THREATS:These do not themselves possess capability to inflict damage. These are electronic and /or optical systems used by enemy to support the terminal threat elements. Theseelements normally consist of:
– Detection– Early warning– Target identification– Target Tracking– Electronic Counter–Counter measures (ECCM)– Fire or weapon control– Communication System
They can be land, sea or air based. Normally, they are an integral part of the enemy’soffensive and defensive forces. They supply target position, speed, leading information tothe terminal threat units.
TERMINAL AND NON TERMINAL:
TERMINAL THREAT UNITS:They have the capability to cause damage to an airborne target. They consist of firingplatform and threat propagators.
GUNS:
Range from hand–held small arms to large stationary or transport aircraft, Anti–AircraftArtillery (AAA).
Small arms : 7.62, 12.7, 14.5 and 20mmAAA : 23, 30, 37, 57, 85, 100, 120, 155mm
Eg : ZPU–4, ZU–23, ZSU–23–4 (SHILKA) OF SOVIET ORIGIN
GUIDED MISSILES:
A guided missiles is an aerospace vehicle with varying guidance capabilities, it is selfpropelled through space to inflict damage on a designated target.
Unguided missile is called a rocket.
Two types of missiles pose threat to airborne target:
– Surface to Air Missile (SAM) – Air to Air Missile (AAM)
THREAT PLATFORMS AND PROPOGATORS
SURFACE TO AIR MISSILES
These are launched from land or sea based platforms. These platforms vary in size from asingle hand held launch tube to a complex system containing trailers, vans and launchunits. The system may employ both optical and radar target tracking in conjunction withspecial missile tracking and guidance computers. These missiles in many cases employsophisticated electronic counter–counter schemes to enhance effectiveness.
For most antiaircraft applications, the typical guidance schemes are:
01 Command Guidance
THE MISSIONS, THE THREATS, AND THE EFFECTS
BEAM RIDER GUIDANCEA. SINGLE BEAM BEAM – RIDER MISSILE SYSTEM
B. DUAL–BEAM BEAM–RIDER MISSILE SYSTEM
HOMING GUIDANCEA. ACTIVE HOMING
C. PASSIVE HOMING
B. SEMI–ACTIVE HOMING
Typical examples of Surface to Air Missiles are given below:COMMAND BEAM RIDER HOMING
SEMI - ACTIVE PASSIVESPARTAN SEASLUG SEA SPARROW CHAPARRALSPRINT RBS 70 STANDARD. MR REDEYECROTALE TALOS (+SAH) STANDARD. ER STINGERRAPIER (CLOS) TERRIER (+SAH) TARTAR REDTOPSEAWOLF (CLOS) MASURCA TAN–SAM (R)BLOWPIPE (CLOS) BLOODHOUND SA–7INDIGO ASPIDE SA– 9ROLAND (CLOS) SEADARTPATRIOT (+SAH) SA–6SA–2 (SA–N–2) THUNDERBIRDSA–3 (SA–N–1) HAWKSA–4 (SAH)SA–8 (SA–N–4)
Typical land based and sea based threats are:
Some sea based weapons
Fig shows the mobile SAM / AAA overlapping coverage of mobile surface to air missiles and anti aircraft guns
Fig show the damage process generation for a surface to air missile:
Damage process generation for a surface–to–air missile.
Threat Type Damage Mechanisms Damage Processes
Surface to air missile
(High explosive core, fragmenting case, proximity
fuze incendiary material)
IncendiaryParticles
Fragments, Penetrators
Blast
CombustionPenetration
Ballistic ImpactHydraulic Ram
Dynamic LoadingOver pressure
Weapon systems that produce a beam of electromagnetic radiation withintensity sufficient to damage a target are called DIRECTED HIGH ENERGYWEAPONS (DHEW). These weapons do damage of the target by:
– Melting– Thermally degrading portions of the target– Overloading or blinding the EM & optical sensors
These weapons are three types:
COHERENT ELECTROMAGNETIC FLUX (LASER BEAM)ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE (EMP)CHARGED NUCLEAR PARTICLES
The weapons are in various stages of development and are likely to be readyfor use in this decade.
DIRECTED ENERGY DEVICES
The Adversary deploys his Fighter Aircraft to prevent friendly aircraft entering his territoryor these aircraft escort the adversary’s ground attack aircraft carryout their missionwithout any hindrance.
The Adversary’s aircraft are equipped with advanced equipment to carryout search,identification, tracking and firing of the weapons. These aircraft also carry equipment thatcan jam the radar and missiles with its ECM/ECCM equipment and flares. These aircraftalso are equipped with advanced air to air missiles in addition to guns and rockets.
Typical air to air missiles are listed below.Missile Guidance Methods , Air to Air
AIR SUPERIORITY FIGHTERS
SEMI – ACTIVE HOMINGFALCONSPARROWSUPER 530SKYLASHASPIDEPHOENIX (+ACTIVE)AA–1 THRU AA–7AA–8 (POSSIBLY)AMRAAMRVV–AEPYTHON–IV
PASSIVE HOMINGSIDEWINDERMAGICSHAFRIRSAAB 327AA–1 THRU AA–8SUPER R530REDTOPFALCONSHRIKE (R)STANDARD ARM (R)HARM (R)R–60R–73 E
Fig shows typical Air Borne Weapons of Russian Origin.
Some airborne weapons
ALL ASPECT AND OFF BORESHIGHT WEAPONS INCREASE FIRING OPPORTUNITIES
TAIL ASPECT WEAPONS ALL ASPECT WEAPONS
ON BORESIGHT WEAPONS OFF BORESHIGHT WEAPONS
SURFACE–TO–AIR MISSILES
Kill Zone(Vertical Plane)
Air–to–Air Requirements are evolving
Uncertainties• Positive All-wx, long range identification• Warning and control in High-density environment
THE NATURE OF AIR COMBAT IS CHANGING…
Before ….. Now …..
• Short – range sensors• Short Range, Limited aspect weapons
• Visual identification• Low Lethality• Simple impact of numbers
• Long – Range Sensors• Long Range identification• Long-Range, all aspect weapons• Improved Lethality of weapons• Multi bogey environment• Complex numbers
THRUST TO WEIGHT RATIO
SUSTAINED TURN RATE0.8 AT 4.5 kms
TURN
RAT
E. D
EG/S
EC
MAXIMUM INSTANTANEOUSTURN RATE AT 4.5 kms
DEGR
EES
/ SEC
SEA LEVEL RATE OF CLIMB
In order to properly develop a survivable design of the aircraft that enables itto effectively conduct its assigned mission, the specific threats to the aircraftmust be determined, as well as the conditions that exist at the time of theencounter. This determination is referred to as the mission threat analysis.
The typical tasks are:
* Define each operational mode required by the specified mission.* List the threats and threat characteristics applicable to the defined
operational modes.* analyze the aircraft operational modes and threats and determine the
encounter conditions.
The required encounter conditions shall be used as a basis for thesurvivability assessment, tradeoff studies before the design is finalised.
MISSION THREAT ANALYSIS:
The combat or mission effectiveness of a particular airborne weapon system on a specific mission isinfluenced by many factors. These factors are associated with threat, the weapon system itself and theoperational environment.
Let us walk through a typical combat mission.
TYPICAL COMBAT / MISSION EFFECTIVENESS
Fig presents a strike scenario in a very general sense showing the full spectrum ofthreats and electromagnetic environment. A typical strike mission could consist of fouraircraft carrying conventional ordnance (4 X 500 lb bombs), antiradiation missiles, andECM pods.
Fig shows a portion of a ground based air defence system typical of those which mightbe deployed in Indian subcontinent. The path shown is that of one aircraft attacking anSA–4 site and an SA–6 site and then exiting the area.
Flight path for a close air support mission
As the aircraft nears FEBA (Forward Edge of the Battle), it drops down into avalley to take advantage of terrain masking. However, a self propelled radardirected AAA system is in the vicinity and detects the aircraft with itsscanning radar. The observer inside the AAA vehicle looks at theapproaching aircraft through an optical tracker and identifies the aircraft asenemy. The AAA radar is than switched to the target tracking mode.Meanwhile the radar warning receiver in the aircraft has detected thescanning signal from AAA radar and alerted the pilot as to the type, locationand status of the threat. The pilot immediately ejects chaff attempts to breakthe lock of the tracking radar by manoeuvering his aircraft. The radarreceiver of AAA sees the chaff and starts to track it rather than the aircraft.
As the Aircraft moves forward avoiding surface to air weapons (AAA, SAMS), encounter between the strikeaircraft and an enemy interceptor carrying an air to air, infrared homing missile occurs.
For the interceptor to detect the strike aircraft, the strike aircraft must be within the range of the onboardsensors (Radar, IR Sensors, visual). Higher the signature of the strike aircraft, greater the chances of beingdetected by the onboard sensors of Interceptor.
In order to place the strike aircraft within the tracking system’s field of view and inside the missiles maximumrange, the interceptor must manoeuvre to come within a certain launch region with respect to strike aircraft.This requires performance capabilities on the part of the interceptor, such as speed, rate and radius of turn,and acquisition of strike aircraft by the crew of the interceptor.
To achieve lock on the IR source of the strike aircraft must be within the tracking systems field of view. Forguidance system of the IR missile to function properly, the IR seeker must be locked on to the proper source,not some other spurious IR source or decoy such as flare.
The interceptor will normally launch the IR missile from a position behind the target aircraft because that iswhere the IR signature is usually most intense.
The missile will home in on the IR radiation emitted and reflected by the strike aircraft. When the missile getsclose enough to the target, the proximity fuse will detonate the warhead. The blast wave and fragments fromthe detonated warhead strike the aircraft.
ENCOUNTER BETWEEN FRIENDLY STRIKE AIRCRAFT AND ENEMY INTERCEPTOR
A study of the scenario reveals that the ability of the aircraft weapon systemto accomplish assigned tasks is dependent upon:
1 Availability of the weapon system for the mission2 Aircraft performance capabilities and handling qualities3 The target acquisition capability4 The type, effectiveness and number of weapons carried5 The command, control and communications and other supporting
system available6 The aircraft signature and counter measures employed7 Tactics used and terrain and weather conditions8 Ability of the aircraft to take a hit and survive
CHARACTERISTICS OF AIRCRAFT WEAPON SYSTEM
ENCOUNTER BETWEEN FRIENDLY STRIKE AIRCRAFT AND ENEMY INTERCEPTOR
Number of systems acquiredReliability of the systemTurnaround time between sortiesSurvivability of the aircraft
PERFORMANCE : Aircraft performance capabilities affect effectiveness significantly typical performance parametres are:
Combat radius Cruise speed Dash speed Manoeuvrability Agility Pay load Loiter
AVAILABILITY : Availability or readiness, influences effectiveness because the morelikely a weapon system is available to send on the mission, the more likely the target willbe killed, all the factors being the same. Availability is affected by:
HANDLING QUALITIES : Undesirable handling qualities affect effectiveness byincreasing the pilot workload and by limiting flight envelope (e.g., Flying ‘close to thedeck’ to avoid detection will be too difficult to accomplish.)
TARGET ACQUISITION : The ability to rapidly acquire the target has a very stronginfluence on effectiveness as it is in this phase that the target has a very strong influenceon effectiveness.
Target acquisition capability depends upon:– Navigation and targeting aids– Visual field of view from the cockpit– Onboard Radar/FLIR– Flight vectoring assistance from airborne platform or ground based
FAC
WEAPONS : The type, effectiveness and number of weapons carried influence weapondelivery tactics and the number of sorties required to kill the target. The more sortiesrequired to get the job done, the more likely the loss of aircraft. Use of fire and forgetweapons can allow the aircraft to quickly exit or remain outside of the threat envelope.
Typical weapons are:Bombs – Freefall, Retarded, Retro penetration, GuidedMissiles – Air to Air, Air to Ground, Air to Sea, Active, Semi active, Passive
type, TV Guided, Laser, IR type
Guns, Rockets–
SUPPORTING SYSTEMS: such as
Command, Communication and Control (C3)Fighter Escorts (FE)Threat Suppression Aircraft Standoff Jamming Aircraft (SOJ) Target Locators / DesignatorsSignal monitoring/missile launch warning aircraft
reduce the susceptibility of the aircraft and increase the likelihood that the aircraft will get to the target and return home.
SIGNATURES AND COUNTER MEASURES: The aircraft signatures and the counter measures influence the probability the aircraft is defeated, tracked and fired upon before it gets to the target to deliver it weapon and influence effectiveness.
Signature : Radar, IR, Visual, AudioCounter Measures : Warning receivers, CMD, Jammers
TACTICS : Tactics can significantly affect the susceptibility of the aircraftTypical tactics are : Low level or nap of earth flight terrain masking Bad weather / night time operation
THE ABOVE CHARACTERISTICS STRONGLY INFLUENCE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF AIRCRAFT
MEASURE OF MISSION SUCCESS (MOMS): MOMS = S * MAM
MAM : Is relative measure of the ability of the aircraft to accomplish itsobjectives in the presence of the threat without the consideration ofthreat effects. (Offensive view of the mission).
S : Survival rate S, defined as the ratio of the number of aircraft thatreturn to the number of aircraft launched. This parameter gives thedefensive view of the mission. The more survivable the aircraft is,closer it is to unity.
If G is mission goal, then number required to accomplish mission is :
G = L * MOMS
Fighters are shaped by
• Threat, Tactics,Technology
• Geo political environment
• Industrial Capacity, Capability
• Goals, Ambitions & ???
THANK YOU
Questions ?