CHAPTER 15 AIRCRAFT WEAPONS SYSTEMS Modern supersonic fighter and attack aircraft attack a target automatically and accurately. These aircraft are designed and built as a completely integrated weapons system. The weapons subsystems are interconnected and dependent on each other or on other aircraft systems. For example, the bomb release system in some modes of operation depends on the aircraft’s flight control system; the missile system is interconnected with the aircraft’s radar system for missile guidance. In addition to delivering weapons more accurately, computer-controlled weapons systems provide a higher degree of safety by reducing human error. The Navy currently uses the F-14 and F/A-18 fighter aircraft, the P-3 and S-3 aircraft, and the SH-3 and SH-60 helicopter antisubmarine warfare weapons systems. The F/A-18 is a dual-mission aircraft (fighter/attack), and is discussed under fighter aircraft. The weapons systems used in modern aircraft are complex. The information on fighter, attack, and antisubmarine warfare weapons systems in this chapter is basic. As you work in your rating, you will learn more about specific systems, and you will be trained in their operation. FIGHTER AIRCRAFT WEAPONS SYSTEMS LEARNING OBJECTIVE Identify fighter aircraft weapons systems to include those used in the F-14 and F/A-18 aircraft. The following text discusses the F-14 and F/A-18 aircraft. You will be introduced to information on the available aircraft armament systems and the basic controls and components common to these systems. F-14 AIRCRAFT WEAPONS SYSTEMS The F-14 aircraft is a two-seat (in-line), supersonic, fighter aircraft. It has a servo air fitting and ground cooling air inlet fitting. The servo air fitting provides air to operate servo valves in the environmental control system during built-in-test (BIT) checks and to pressurize the AWG-9 waveguide and gun gas purge valve operation during aircraft ground checks. The ground cooling air inlet fitting provides cooling air to electronic equipment during ground operation. External power can be applied to all F-14 (series) aircraft. You can use mobile ac power plants, carrier, or hangar ac power cables to apply electrical power to the aircraft when the engines are not operating. The aircraft armament system consists of a missile control system, multiple weapons release system, M61A1 20-mm automatic gun fire control system, AN/AWW fuze function control system, AN/ALE-39 decoy dispensing system, and jettison system. The F-14 armament system consists of the following basic controls and components common to all systems: Air combat maneuver (ACM) panel Armament control indicator panel Displays control panel Control stick Master light control panel Landing gear handle Armament safety override switch Air Combat Maneuver (ACM) Panel The ACM panel (fig. 15-1) is located on the forward cockpit center console. It contains switches for missile preparation, missile operating mode selection, and for arming the system. Indicators inform the pilot of weapon status, when the missile is locked on the target, and when the missile is ready to be launched. When the ACM encounter mode is selected, gun high-firing rate and the AIM-9 missile cooling are automatically selected, The ACM panel switches are discussed in the following paragraphs, Armament Control Indicator Panel The armament control indicator panel (fig. 15-2) is located in the aft cockpit left vertical console. It contains the attack mode (ATTK MODE) selector switch, weapon-type (WEP TYPE) thumb-wheel switch, electric fuze (ELECT FUZE) selector switch, delivery (DLVY MODE) switches, delivery options (DLVY OPTNS) switches, station set (STA SET) switches, missile option (MSL OPTION) switches, missile speed gate (MSL SPD GATE) selector switch, and select jettison (SEL JETT), tank jettison (TANK JETT), and jettison options (JETT OPTIONS) switches. 15-1