Some F/A-22 weapons separation, fully integrated guided missile test launches, and JDAM testing were done concurrently with IOT&E. However, three other shots indicated fire control deficiencies exist that need to be resolved in development. Four shots have demonstrated the capability to engage and destroy enemy aircraft in specific, discreet combat representative scenarios. The external fuel tanks, held by a BRU-47/A rack are carried on the inboard stations, while a pylon fitted with two LAU-128/A rail launchers is fitted to each of the outboard stations.Īn all-missile external loadout (two missiles on each of the stations) is possible and would not be difficult technically to integrate, but the Air Force has not stated a requirement for this configuration.Įnd-to-end weapons integration missile shots have had mixed results in testing, according to DOT&E. Two 600 gallon fuel tanks, four missiles: This configuration is used after air dominance in a battle area has been secured, and extra loiter time and firepower is required for Combat Air Patrol (CAP).A BRU-47/A rack is used on each pylon to hold the external tanks. Four 600 gallon fuel tanks, no external weapons: This configuration is used when the aircraft is being ferried and extra range is needed.There are two basic external configurations for the F-22:
Either a 600-gallon fuel tank or two LAU-128/A missile launchers can be attached to the bottom of the pylon, depending on the mission. A single pylon design, which features forward and aft sway braces, an aft pivot, electrical connections, and fuel and air connections, is used. The F-22 has four under wing hardpoints, each capable of carrying 5,000 pounds. This is an important factor in the F-22's stealth characteristics, and it improves the fighter's aerodynamics by dramatically reducing drag, which, in turn, improves the F-22's range. The F-22's combat configuration is "clean", that is, with all armament carried internally and with no external stores. The entire missile launch sequence -door opening, AVEL ejecting the missile, missile ignition and flyout, door closing -takes just seconds. Unlike conventional missile launchers, the AVEL requires no explosive pyrotechnics cartridges, (which means the AVEL requires less logistics support and maintenance) but instead uses the aircraft's hydraulic system to eject the missile. The long stroke and high velocity are required to safely separate the missile from the aircraft in all combat conditions. The AVEL, which is made mostly of aluminum, has a nine-inch stroke, and ejects the missile out of the bay at more than 25 feet per second, with a force of 40Gs. The AVEL is very stiff in order to control missile movement in the weapons bay and supply the proper ejection forces on the missile. Six launchers mounted in the main weapon bays carry and launch the AMRAAMs. The F-22 carries its primary armament, the AIM-120C Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) internally on the EDO Corp.-built LAU-142/A pneudraulic (pneumatic and hydraulic) launcher, called the AMRAAM Vertical Eject Launcher (AVEL). This is a groundbreaking requirement made even tougher by tight clearances and flow fields that result from internal carriage. The F-22 has a requirement to launch weapons throughout the service envelope at roll rates up to 100 degrees per second. Historically, bay acoustics and weapon re-contact with structure during separation have been issues. The F-111 and F-117 have internal bays as well as older aircraft like the F-102, F-105, and F-106. Launching weapons from an internal bay is not a new problem.
The limited space drove the configuration of the launchers and acoustic suppression devices. The aircraft is essentially wrapped around its internal bay, which is an essential characteristic of the F-22's stealthy design. The weapons bay played a huge role in the design evolution of the F-22. With the Global Positioning System-guided JDAM, the F-22 had an adverse weather capability to supplement the F-117 (and later the Joint Strike Fighter) for air-to-ground missions after achieving air dominance. For its air-to-ground role, the F-22 can internally carry two 1,000 pound-class Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), two AIM-120C, and two AIM-9 missiles. For its primary air-to-air role, the F-22 carries six AIM-120C and two AIM-9 missiles.
0 kommentar(er)
