Northrop Grumman is developing a conformal array multi-function imaging infra-red (IIR) sensor system intended for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
The distributed-architecture infra-red system (DAIRS) is to be demonstrated in Northrop Grumman's BAC One-Eleven testbed in mid-1999, leading to US Navy flight-tests in a Boeing TAV-8B in mid-2001. Engineering and manufacturing development of the JSF is scheduled to begin in 2001.
The DAIRS consists of six compact, lightweight IIR sensors distributed around the airframe, conformal with the skin, each providing a 90 x 90í field of view. Data from the passive sensors are combined to provide all-aspect multi-function imaging.
Imagery is presented to the pilot on a wide-angle helmet-mounted display, overlaid with target and threat data information automatically extracted from the IR image. Functions include air-to-air search-and-track, target cueing and missile warning, and air-to-ground surface-target tracking.
High-resolution, 1,000 x 1,000-element staring-array sensors will enable the system to extract target data from navigation-quality IR imagery, says Northrop Grumman. Overlapping sensor coverage will allow the pilot to look anywhere within a 360í sphere and see an IR image. The US company says that it is aiming for a cost of around $500,000 for the system, compared with some $5 million for a full suite of IR navigation, targeting and warning sensors on today's combat aircraft.
Northrop Grumman is a member of Lockheed Martin's JSF team, and is to merge with Lockheed Martin early in 1998. The company's Electronic Sensors and Systems division is also talking to Boeing about supplying the multi-function IS system for its rival JSF bid.
Source: Flight International
