Sensors , Weapons and Systems for a 21 st Century Counter - Air Campaign

Sensors, weapons and systems are some of the key determinants of success in counter-air warfare. This paper explores the growth potential in many of the basic technologies used to implement sensors, weapons and systems in the coming generation of fighters. Conclusions are drawn about potential performance and capability growth resulting from improvements in basic technology in the coming two decades. The turn of the millennium is a critical junction point in the evolutionary process of fighter development. Indeed, it is a junction point not unlike that seen in the late nineteen forties. Evolutionary and revolutionary improvements in a number of key supporting technologies will transform the capabilities of the coming generation of fighters. Pivotal to this transformation are the sensors, weapons and onboard systems of future fighter aircraft. This paper will explore these issues and attempt to place them in the context of modern fighter design. 1 Born in Perth, Western Australia, the author graduated with first class honours in Electrical Engineering in 1984, from the University of Western Australia. In 1996 he completed an MSc in Computer Science by research and more recently, submitted a PhD dissertation dealing with long range data links and mobile networks, both at Monash University in Melbourne. He has over 15 years of diverse industry experience, including the design of high speed communications equipment, computer hardware and embedded software. More recently, he has consulted to private industry and government organisations, and lectured in computing topics. The author has been actively publishing as a defence analyst in Canberra based Australian Aviation, since 1980, and more recently in Amberley based Air Power International, the UK based Janes Missiles & Rockets, and the US based Journal of Electronic Defense. His work has been published by the RAAF APSC since 1992, and USAF CADRE Air Chronicles since 1996. He is a member of the IEEE, AIAA and AOC. 2 This paper is derived from two series of papers published in Australian Aviation and Air Power International, between 1996 and 1999.