Combat Sensors Flown In 'Robust Electronic Warfare
Scenarios'
While participating in Northern Edge for the second time, F-35
Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter sensor capabilities were tested
in the Alaskan multi-operational environment June 13-24. Hosted by
Alaskan Command, Northern Edge is a biennial U.S. Pacific Command
exercise that prepares joint forces to respond to crises throughout
the Asia-Pacific region.
This year provided an opportunity to observe the performance of
the F-35 JSF systems in multiple robust electronic warfare
scenarios. The AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar
and AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system were mounted aboard
Northrop Grumman's BAC 1-11 test aircraft. Making its debut, the
AN/AAQ-37 DAS demonstrated spherical situational awareness and
target tracking capabilities. The DAS is designed to simultaneously
track multiple aircraft in every direction, which has never been
seen in an air combat environment.
A return participant, the AN/APG-81 AESA demonstrated robust
electronic protection, electronic attack, passive maritime and
experimental modes, and data-linked air and surface tracks to
improve legacy fighter situational awareness. It also searched the
entire 50,000 square-mile Gulf of Alaska operating area for surface
vessels, and accurately detected and tracked them in minimal
time.
Navy Cmdr. Erik Etz, the deputy mission systems integrated
product team lead from the F-35 JSF Program Office, said the
rigorous testing of both sensors during Northern Edge 2011 served
as a significant risk-reduction step for the F-35 JSF program. "By
putting these systems in this operationally rigorous environment,
we have demonstrated key war fighting capabilities well in advance
of scheduled operational testing," Commander Etz added.
Holding the exercise in June added seasonal weather challenges
for system operators to adapt to and overcome. Inclement and cloudy
weather hampered in-flight visibility. The DAS was significant in
providing clear and discernible horizons, and views of ground
features and nearby aircraft. It also wasn't dark enough for
testing night-vision functions. A surrogate test visor was used for
displaying DAS imagery to the operators. "The implications of F-35
JSF sensor systems for air-land-sea battle are immense," said Peter
Bartos, Northrop Grumman's test director. "The testing at Northern
Edge 2011 provided the opportunity to confirm the maturity and
operational utility of key capabilities, and to identify any areas
that might need refinement before entering formal operational
testing on the F-35 JSF airframe."
He said the idea is to take the guess work out of development
and testing, and to minimize or avoid issues that have plagued
other major development programs in the past.
Northern Edge 2011 gave more than 6,000 active duty, National
Guard and Reserve component Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and
Coast Guard military participants the opportunity to train together
in Alaska's vast Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, including the
Gulf of Alaska maritime training area.