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 wave guide 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-4 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
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