JSF and close air support

In article , Allen Epps
wrote:

In article , Harry Andreas
wrote:

In article , Peter Kemp
wrote:

Basically two off board SAR radars provide updates - IIRC the trials
are using a JSTARS and a phased array (I think from the F-35 program,
but can't readily recall).

More likely either the F/A-18E/F or the F-15C with APG-63(V)2 .
I don't think the F-35 radar is in position yet to be able to support
tests outside the F-35 program.

Yep, it's the F-35 radar on a BAC 1-11. Here's a link to an article
about the jet.

http://www.forrelease.com/D20031021/...553.29871.html

Not necessarily. A careful reading of the article (and backdoor info)
indicates that the "sensor" is a "performance representative"
"4th gen" radar that they're using to do the fusion work.
NOT necessarily the F-35 radar which I understand they're having trouble
building because of low yields.
This is the same BAC 111 that they used for the F-22 radar work. It could
have an F-22 radar on it, or an update to the F-22, or a brassboard.
There's really no reason to have a full-up F-35 radar if your main
purpose is S/W development. As long as the target processor is the
same is doesn't matter.


I'm not sure what software it's running or how mature it is to the
final version. I was a bit surprised myself but it's a program parallel
to one of mine so I've seen the brief and discussed it with one of the
PM's.

What's your program (if it's not sensitive)?
Did your contact actually say it is an F-35 radar, or did he use weasel
words like "performance representative" ?
There's nothing wrong with using a brassboard radar for work like
this, but one shouldn't claim it's a production, or even
pre-production system unless it really is.

--
Harry Andreas
Engineering raconteur