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Aircraft Armament and Materiel
General
The different types of military aircraft are backbone of aircraft armament. Aviation forces of the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps are classified as bombers, fighter-bombers and attack acft, fighters, observation acft, reconnaissance acft, special electronic installation acft, cargo acft, helicopters, tankers and trainers according to their functions. These forces can quickly gain and sustain air superiority over regional aggressors, permitting rapid air attacks on enemy targets while providing security to exploit the air for logistics, command and control, intelligence, and other functions. Fighter/attack aircraft operate from land bases and aircraft carriers and attack combat enemy fighters, ground and ship targets. Missile-carrier bombers make an intercontinental flight to strike surface targets on short notice. The specialized aircraft supporting conventional operations perform functions such as surveillance, airborne warning and control, air battle management, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, and combat search and rescue operations. The key components of the aviation force are fighter/attack aircraft and conventional bombers.
The F/A-18 “Hornet”
The F/A-18 “Hornet” is a supersonic, single seat (A and C models) or tandem seat (B and D models), twin engine, all weather, night, combined fighter and attack aircraft and can be refueled in flight. The F/A-18 multi-mission aircraft can operate from either aircraft carriers or land bases. The F/A-18 fills a variety of roles: air superiority, fighter escort, suppression of enemy air defenses, reconnaissance, forward air control, close and deep air support, and day and night strike missions. Cockpit displays and avionics are thoroughly integrated to enhance crew situational awareness and mission capability in high threat, adverse weather/night environments. Cockpits are night vision goggle compatible. Multi-sensor integration and advanced data link capabilities further enhance situational awareness. In 1987, the upgraded C/D model (with enhanced mission avionics) was introduced and upgraded with a night/adverse weather mission capability, on board oxygen generating system, APG-73 radar upgrade, enhanced performance F404-GE-402 engines, and upgraded mission computers. F/A-18 maximum speed is Mach 1.7 at level flight at altitudes of 36,089 ft. The F/A-18 can carry up to 13,700 pounds of external ordnance. Weapon stations include: two wingtip stations for Sidewinders; two outboard wing stations for air-to-air or air-to-ground weapons; two inboard wing stations for fuel tanks, air-to-air, or air-to-ground weapons; two nacelle fuselage stations for AMRAAMs, Sparrows or pods; and one centerline station for fuel or air-to-ground weapons. The M61 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon with 520 rounds of 20 mm ammunition is internally mounted in the nose. The combination of excellent thrust-to-weight ratio and maneuverability is an unmatched combat capability.
The B-2 Spirit
The B-2 Spirit is a multi-role bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. A dramatic leap forward in technology, the bomber represents a major milestone in the U.S. bomber modernization program. The B-2 brings massive firepower, in a short time, anywhere on the globe, through previously impenetrable defenses. The revolutionary blending of low observable technologies with high aerodynamic efficiency gives the B-2 important advantages over existing bombers. Low observability provides greater freedom of action at high altitudes, increasing its range and field of view for the aircraft's sensors. The B-2's low observability is derived from a combination of reduced infrared, acoustic, electromagnetic, visual and radar signatures. Thus, it's difficult for defensive systems to detect, track and engage the B-2.
Aircraft Armament
Modern military aircraft are equipped with missiles, rockets, bombs and cannons.
The AGM-88 high-speed anti-radiation missile is a supersonic air-to-surface tactical missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar-equipped AD systems. The AGM-88 can detect, attack and destroy a target with minimum aircrew input. Guidance is provided through reception of signals emitted from ground-based threat radar. It has the capability of discriminating a single target from a number of emitters in the environment. The proportional guidance system that homes on enemy radar emissions has a fixed antenna and seeker head in the missile nose. A smokeless, solid-propellant, dual-thrust rocket motor propels the missile. The Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18 and EA-6B have the capability to employ the AGM-88.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an active infrared guidance system.
The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2000. AMRAAM is a supersonic, air launched, aerial intercept, guided missile employing active radar target tracking, proportional navigation guidance, and active radio frequency target detection. It employs active, semi-active, and inertial navigational methods of guidance to provide an autonomous launch and leave capability against single and multiple targets in all environments.
The MK-82 is a free-fall, non-guided general purpose 500-pound bomb. The bomb is usually equipped with the mechanical M904 (nose) and M905 (tail) fuses. The MK 80 series Low drag general purpose bombs are used in the majority of bombing operations where maximum blast and explosive effects are desired. LDGP bombs are designed to be aerodynamically streamlined. Their cases are relatively light and approximately 45 percent of their complete weight is explosive. General purpose bombs may use both nose and tail fuses and conical or retarded tail fins. Bombs are carried in bomb carriers. They are suspended under the fuselage, wings or within the fuselage in bomb bays and released by bomb-released mechanism.
The 24В/В guided bomb is designated as a hard target penetrator. The associated components required for conversion are fuse, airfoil group, generator and guidance control unit. The heavy walled case of the bomb provides the penetration capability of 4 to 6 feet of reinforced concrete.