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Next-generation infrared defensive sensors for F-22 Raptor
Lockheed Martin has received a $270 million contract from the US Air Force (USAF) to integrate a system of next-generation infrared defensive sensors on the F-22 Raptor.
The F-22 will soon feature a newly developed, distributed set of embedded TacIRST sensors developed by Lockheed Martin to enhance aircraft survivability and lethality, known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS). In addition to managing integration of IRDS on the F-22, the company will also support integration on other platforms.
“We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like IRDS that will make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries,” said Hank Tucker, vice president of Missions Systems at Lockheed Martin, in a company news release. “We’re committed to supporting the Air Force through continuous innovation of capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.”
Justin Taylor, vice president, F-22 program at Lockheed Martin added: “Lockheed Martin is proud to continue partnering with the Air Force on essential modernization efforts for the Raptor, leveraging our expertise in 5th Generation aircraft and air dominance systems to integrate capabilities that ensure uninterrupted U.S. air superiority today and into the future.”
Lockheed Martin is committed to providing higher readiness rates, faster response and lower life-cycle cost to the Air Force. Through Follow-on Agile Sustainment, a comprehensive weapons management program and an award-winning performance-based logistics (PBL) contract, we provide a highly integrated F-22 support system.
Mission-Ready Sustainment
The key to F-22 sustainment is integration. Lockheed Martin strategic partnership with USAF helps to merge highly complex sustainment activities into one unified operation. This integration allows for greater efficiency, lower cost, and enhanced responsiveness to the needs of the operators and maintainers in the field.
Sustainment work for the F-22 includes:
- Reliability, Availability and Maintainability Program (RAMP): In the RAMP, Lockheed Martin team inspects data from the field of operations and engineering solutions to increase aircraft availability for combat.
- Modernization Line: The Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill Air Force Base houses the only current F-22 Modernization Line, integrating the latest system capabilities to enhance the Raptor’s asymmetric advantage over adversaries.
- Stealth Coating Repair: About 50% of maintenance performed on the F-22 is related to repairing the low observable stealth coatings that are damaged when the aircraft is opened up for routine maintenance.
- Engine Maintenance: The Pratt & Whitney F119 engines are designed to allow standard flight line maintenance using just six common tools available at commercial hardware stores.
- Integrated Maintenance Information System (IMIS): IMIS enables maintainers to plug their laptop into the jet, log completed maintenance, and plug their computer back into the system to update a global database instantaneously, ensuring proper and complete maintenance records are kept no matter where the F-22 is deployed to on the globe.
The Raptor
The F-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.
A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats.
The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusion improve the pilot’s situational awareness. In the air-to-air configuration the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.
The F-22 has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally and will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. In the future air-to-ground capability will be enhanced with the addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small diameter bombs. The Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in the air-to-ground configuration.
The F-22’s characteristics provide a synergistic effect ensuring F-22A lethality against all advanced air threats. The combination of stealth, integrated avionics and supercruise drastically shrinks surface-to-air missile engagement envelopes and minimizes enemy capabilities to track and engage the F-22. The combination of reduced observability and supercruise accentuates the advantage of surprise in a tactical environment.
Photo credit: Lockheed Martin
