RAAF Hornets new test bomb, radar device

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RAAF Hornets new test bomb, radar device

June 24, 2008 - 7:53PM
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The RAAF's frontline Hornet fighter-bombers have successfully tested new bombs and electronic warning equipment.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon said Australia's air combat capability had been further enhanced by the trial of a new radar warning receiver and acceptance by the air force of the US-made Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) smart bomb.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the first production F/A-18 Hornet fitted with a new Radar Warning Receiver had flown at RAAF Williamtown only 18 months after the decision to acquire this equipment.

That followed a decision by the former government to scrap the domestically-made ALR-2002 radar warning receiver because of long delays in successfully integrating it onto the Hornets.

The government then opted to buy the US-made Raytheon ALR-67.

Mr Fitzgibbon said that as part of the Hornet upgrade program, the RAAF's fleet of F/A-18 Hornets was being fitted with upgraded radar warning receivers, countermeasures systems and radar jamming systems.

He said earlier this year the RAAF accepted operational and technical airworthiness of the JDAM for Australian Hornet aircraft.

JDAM is a GPS-guided bomb widely used by US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The RAAF used laser-guided bombs during the 2003 Iraq conflict.

Mr Fitzgibbon said JDAM could be used day or night and in all weather conditions.

"These upgrades to the F/A-18 Hornet will provide the RAAF with leading-edge technology, ensuring the Hornets continued ability to operate as Australia's frontline fighter aircraft," he said in a statement.

"The JDAM smart-bomb will provide the Air Force with greatly improved accuracy and weapon effectiveness, reducing the likelihood of collateral damage during offensive operations."

Mr Fitzgibbon said the upgrade of the Hornet's radar warning receiver was a significant achievement for the Defence Materiel Organisation which had completed the design, integration and testing of the new system in 18-months.

He said the project was within budget and on-track to deliver the complete electronic warfare self-protection upgrade to the entire Hornet fleet by late 2012.

"Given the complexity of the project, the ability to deliver within schedule and budget has been a big success for the Defence Materiel Organisation," he said.

© 2008 AAP
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Source
http://news.theage.com.au/national/raaf-hornets-new-test-bomb-radar-device-20080624-2w4v.html