美 Boeing 社의 Silent Eagle 개발 및 Super Hornet 성능개량 소식...

 

AW&ST 에 소개된 미 Boeing 社의 F-15SE (Silent Eagle) 개발 및 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet 성능개량 소식입니다.

 

지난 주말 Boeing 관계자가 언급하기를 현재 개발이 진행 중인 F-15SE 의 전면 RCS (Radar Cross Section) 값이

5세대 스텔스전투기, F-35 JSF 와 동일하다는 언급을 한 바 있습니다. 이 내용은 추후 좀더 정확한 확인이 필요할

것으로 생각합니다. 또한 F-15SE 시제기에 내부무장창 (CWB, Confomal Weapons Bay) 을 동체 좌우에 붙인 후,

AIM-9 Sidewinder 와 AIM-9X AMRAAM 공대공 미사일을 장착, 발사 시험을 다음 달 실시할 것이라 합니다.

 

현재 알려진 바에 의하면 Boeing 사는, 내년 중으로 예상되는 우리 대한민국의 3차 F-X 도입사업에 AESA 레이더

를 기본으로 하는 F-15SE 를 강력하게 앞세울 것으로 보입니다. 동시에 일본이 추진하는 기존 F-4EJ 의 후속기종

도입 사업에도 Silent Eagle 을 제안할 것으로 예상합니다.

 

한편, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet 의 성능개량 소식 역시 동 기사에서는 다루고 있습니다. 특히 현재 인도 MMRCA

도입사업에 제안된 약 20% 이상 추력을 증강시킨 GE F414 엔진 소식과 IR sensor 개발도 2016년까지는 완료할 것

이라는 내용입니다.

 

끝으로 동 기사에서 특히 관심이 가는 부분은 Mission Computer 의 Software 를 구매국의 상황에 맞게, 구매국이

선택적으로 장착할 수 있게 해준다는 내용입니다. F-15SE 와 F/A-18E/F 에 모두 적용되는 내용으로 이해가 되며,

만약 이러한 Boeing 의 개발 계획이 순조로이 이루어 진다면, 두 기종의 수출 가능성은 매우 높아질 것으로 판단

됩니다.

 

참고로 Super Hornet Block II 자료를 소개합니다. 아래 링크에서 파일을 내려 받으면 됩니다.  --->

 

Boeing Super Hornet Block II

 

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  ⓒ The Boeing Co.

 

 

Building Blocks

Silent Eagle demonstration and upgrades for F/A-18E/F are underway

Aviation Week & Space Technology, 06/28/2010

Authors : Robert Wall and Andy Nativi

 

In an effort to sustain the long-term future of its fighter production capability, Boeing is undertaking several upgrades to the F/A-18E/F and F-15, both to retain customers and generate interest among potential buyers.

 

Although in most cases these efforts are centered around program-specific projects, Boeing also is developing a new cockpit display system that could be applied to the F/A-18E/F, the F-15 and, in a slightly smaller version, a future T-X trainer. As one company engineer points out, the effort is designed to pave the way to a cockpit for an eventual sixth-generation fighter.

 

The centerpiece of the improved crew station is a single 9 X 11-in. display, which would be highly reconfigurable for pilots. Effectively, Boeing is trying to provide iPhone-like display functionality in the cockpit, offering pilots an easy ability to move between functions or expand pictures, says Ted Herman, an F/A-18 business development manager. Long term, the system could allow upgrades to three-dimensional display technology.

 

At this point Boeing is still in the concept phase, but the company is showing a demonstrator system to potential customers to garner their input. Early next year, the company hopes to have a flying prototype to help further refine the concept. If funded, the upgrade could become a reality in around four years. one of the big questions that users will help define is just how much freedom pilots will be given to configure the display.

 

Boeing may introduce a digital display computer processor to run the new technology. This move would involve removing that software from the mission computer, making it easier for international buyers to customize the display.

 

The big screen would be augmented with a 3.5 X 3.5-in. backup, with its own power supply, to provide redundancy.

 

The large display would be paired with a to-be-designed low-profile head-up display.

 

Although the F/A-18E/F is the lead candidate for the system, the F-15 could also benefit. Meanwhile, the next major upgrade for that platform, the lower-radar-cross-section Silent Eagle, should take a big development step next month, when the company plans to fly the conformal weapons bay (CWB) for the fighter.

 

The CWB will demonstrate the ability to shoot AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Amraams (advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles) that have been moved from wing pylons to an internal bay. The change was undertaken to improve an aircraft’s survivability.

 

Boeing plans a single flight test at its St. Louis facility next month to assess air flow and the impact of the bay on aircraft handling. Load and structural vibration factors also will be tracked. Ground trials of the weapons bay are underway.

 

The aircraft will then be ferried to Pt. Magu, Calif., for its actual missile firing. Before year-end, a third flight is planned in which an Amraam will be launched, although not against an actual target, says Brad Jones, the F-15 development program manager.

 

Boeing has identified, but not named, a non-U.S. industrial partner to build the CWB.

 

Near-field radar-cross-section measurements, conducted late last year, validated expectations, says Jones.

 

Boeing’s primary efforts now are focused on a South Korean fighter competition, due to unfold next year (see p. 37).

 

The company recently received government approval for the technology release policy of the Silent Eagle. An export license is in the works.

 

Boeing effectively has developed Silent Eagle as a concept with a range of options that include the CWB, canting of the twin tails and other elements. The package would also include an active, electronically scanned array radar and digital electronic warfare systems from BAE Systems.

 

On the F/A-18E/F, there are several other system enhancements under review. Among them is the addition of an infrared search-and-track sensor. It would be built into an external fuel tank and carried centerline on the strike fighter. Boeing indicates the system could be ready around 2016. The operational concept would have a small number of pods distributed to each squadron and rotated among aircraft, depending on mission requirements.

 

Discussions also are underway with the Navy about adding missile-warning capabilities. Although the service has not laid out a clear road map, radar and infrared technology options are being considered.

 

Not all upgrades target the U.S. customer, though. A General Electric-developed improvement to the F414 powerplant, which would deliver around 20% more thrust, has failed to attract Navy interest, but could move forward if the fighter prevails in India’s hotly contested fighter program.

 

But at Boeing, there is also much near-term focus on locking in the next multiyear production contract with the U.S. Navy. The exact size and scope is not yet defined, but current plans call for 124 aircraft to be built over four years, although the total could go up, says Mike Gibbons, F/A-18E/F program manager. The contract would cover production starting in 2013. The company projects that such a deal could be delivered for $500 million less than if the aircraft were built on an annual lot basis. Although the production rate would be below current levels, Boeing is aiming to keep costs down.

 

Gibbons anticipates that with pending U.S. orders, plus international sales, the F/A-18E/F production line will remain open beyond 2020. Additional orders for the EA-18G could also boost the life of the program.

 

 

  ⓒ U.S. Navy

 

  ⓒ U.S. Navy