Posted on 11/20/2010 8:28:27 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The next step in the largest block upgrade in the history of the E-3 Sentry, or Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft occurred Nov. 18 at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., when the first aircraft receiving the block 40/45 modification was inducted by the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center.
New mission software will enhance tracking and combat identification capabilities, in addition to providing operators with a better picture of the battlespace.
"This modification replaces a mission computer system originally installed in the 1970s," said Maj. Brett Johnson, the AWACS the 40/45 Production chief. "The new system will have an open, network-based architecture, enabling future net-centric modifications."
The upgrade also allows for more sensor integration both on- and off-board the aircraft, improves the aircraft's data link infrastructure, improves machine-to-machine interaction and compresses the timeline from threat engagement to neutralization.
(Excerpt) Read more at af.mil ...
Would this of helped with the Catalina missile launch?
The radar tapes from Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and LAX would shed some light on that.
Ping
TIME!
So, it's way past time to do more than upgrade old 707s. Seriously. This kid is upgrading my old upgrades. He probably has no clue what syncro-selsyn systems were or how they worked.
The child abuse has to stop. Replace the BUFF with a carbon-fiber replacement in the (mostly) same form. It's a good form.
Replace the venerable 707, aka AWACS, tanker, hauler, etc... with a carbon-fiber replacement.
DON'T do the extensive testing, until folks die. Rinse. Repeat.
What? That's cold?
How many died testing/flying/flight-testing the original B-52?
Make it. Fly it. Crash it. Fix it.
We didn't get to be the greatest country by not taking risks.
/johnny
Using Moore’s Law going backward..... 1.5^40=11,057,332. Is that right. Today’s processors are 11 million times faster?
Ping
Some years ago, before he passed away, I asked my since deceased brother -who had spent most of his career at Control Data before they went belly up - if he had ever worked on something there that had made it in the commercial market. He said that when the electronics on the AWACS was being upgraded Control Data had a contract to build plasma monitors for the the upgrade. Unfortunately, they could not develop the technology fast enough and the Air Force went with conventional monitors. Control Data sold the plasma patents to Japan.
These people are clueless. I’m a former spook. The best idea right now is little tiny flyable robotic planes with the best video equipment possible. Sending continuous sigs to a mother ship 50 or more miles out which can coordinate immediate counter measures. No crew risk, better maneuverability, small $ loss if shot down and great sigs.
Station these little butterflies over a target and have them hover/circle while conducting continuous monitoring - we’ll have all the intel we can digest and we present a tiny target. Meanwhile, the enemy is distracted so we can do some other serious crap to do damage.
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