Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
The US Air Force will explore new fighting concepts, including the use of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) for tactical missions, during the Expeditionary Force Experiment '98 due to take place in September.
The experiment will cost an estimated $40 million to conduct. While military exercises train personnel on established procedures, experiments such as EFX '98 test new unproven initiatives, doctrine and equipment, says USAF chief of staff Gen Michael Ryan.
Virtually every USAF major command will be represented. Additionally, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the US Army's 82nd Airborne Division among others will be involved.
The experiment will be conducted at Eglin AFB, Florida. Ryan says that it will involve the equivalent of an Air Expeditionary Force operating Northrop Grumman E-8s and B-2s, Boeing F-15Es and Lockheed Martin F-16s.
Evaluation of using UAVs for suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) missions will continue as part of EFX '98, says Ryan.
Earlier this year, the TRW/Israel Aircraft Industries Hunter UAV was successfully used to pinpoint a simulated air defence system for attack by Lockheed Martin F-16s. Officials say that the test will lead to another flight evaluation of a Hunter fitted with a radar jammer.
In the earlier test, conducted by the USAF's UAV Battlelab at Eglin AFB, a Hunter fitted with Litton LR-100 direction finding and an improved data modem (IDM) was able to transmit targeting data to the IDM-equipped F-16s. Project officials believe that the specially equipped UAV could make every F-16 and F-15E into SEAD mission aircraft.
A follow-on UAV jammer test will involve the in-development Northrop Grumman Tactical Radar Electronic Combat System, which will allow the UAV to act as a surrogate Grumman EF-111 electronic warfare aircraft.
Source: Flight International
