SinoDefence Forum

challenge

USAF have plan to install side scanning AESA for F-22,this allow the aircraft 360 degree surveillance capability.sort like mini AWACS.

Scratch

The block 30 Raptors (2008-11) will get this enhancement, increasing situational awareness a lot, but a don't think it'll get a full 360° coverage, but close to it.
I also once read about the idea of putting a radar array on the back/spine of a flanker to act as a tactical mini awacs. An interesting idea. Such an A/C could be a relly potant EW platfrom. But I don't think it would be well suited to take up the fight at the very front line itself. It could act from the back as a forward command post close to the fight and coordinating it. But a Backfire with AAMs and bombs and a big radar to perfrom all of these tasks at once, I think that's asking for too much.

Roger604

Source please. I think this merely a rumor from a long time ago.

C'mon, you can't use F-22 as an AWACS. That would negate it's stealth.

lilzz

Backfire is bigger than F-22 or any fighter plane, therefore easily can carry a bigger AWAC type of Radar. The Balance Beam underneath is just like a big missile, without sacrificing its aerodynamic too much.

Roger604

^ I was talking about the F-22 "AWACS".

Your idea is even more silly. China does not need Backfires. Supersonic, high-flying bombers are obsolete. License manufacturing should be avoided if possible. Indigenous design and indigenous manufacture is the way to go.

H-6K. The "K" stands for "Aerial Combat Platform." It has a big honking radar. It has room for heavy duty electronics. I'll leave it to you to think about what it capabilities include.

Scratch

Hm, on rather short notice I really don't find anything recent on a side-looking capability add to the APG-77. I've read something about passive side looking radar, whatever that means ...
The latest APG-77(V)1 has ground mapping SAR capability, here side looking arrays would come in handy, IMO, further increasing the Raptors ISR value.
I also wouldn't discount the Raptor's tactical mini AWACS role that fast. It's stealth allows it to penetrate hostile lines and then optain some usefull information of airops. It can perhaps also direct other groups or guide handed off missiles. It could also, after having a quick look, switch off again and run. When it's not emmiting anymore, it's rather difficult to pinpoint a VLO object travelling at M1.5 at 60.000ft without two glowing candles at it's back.

lilzz

It's flying too slow, hard to evade the SAMs.
also when your AAM ran out, the interceptors will able to chase you down.
Whereas a supersonic plane can run away faster.

tphuang

are you serious? You really think backfires can get away from interceptors and SAMs? If they were that amazing, PLAAF would've obtained it for sure. And when you put a radome on the top, it's hard to say how much that would affect the aerodynamics and slow down the airplane.

lilzz

I suggest Balance Beam Radar underneath the belly of Backfire like a big missile, not a radome. It has Max speed of Mach 2, practically a fighter jet's spec.

tphuang

what do you do with look up mode then? I think there are reasons that AWACs have radar on top or at the nose. And what about when you land? Are you going to be landing on the beam? Anyhow, regardless of where you put it, it's going to be huge and change the aerodynamics.

lilzz

Implement an internal weapon bay like the F-22, but make it double sided, the beam can come on top of the plane and underneath? When it trying land, put in back inside the bay. I guess.

PrOeLiTeZ

Firstly it depends which version of the Tu-22, the basic model travels around at max speed of Mach 1.3, though if your are refering to the Tu-22M model then they clock max speed around Mach 2.3.

Turning an aerial platform has to be researched and carefuly chosen. Remember converting airframe into an AWAC changes its center of balance, aerodynamics, structure strength, electronic disturbance with certain weapons. Most AWAC airframe are meant to travel at max Mach 0.75, any faster the rotodome or balance beam will rip right off due to the heavy airflow at highspeeds.

Now why I said which model of Tu-22, the basic variant maybe but highly unlikly and the "M" model definatly not at those speeds you have significant distruption in airflow and aerodynamics is not balanced and free flowing. AWACS dont require much speed they need high loiter duration. Now if your using the Tu-22 they are turbofan so they consume lots of fuel and are expensive to maintain as a secondary AWAC's platform.

The Y-8 platform very fuel efficient with turboprops, decent loiter time, cheap to construct and maintenance friendlier as and AWACS platform. Converting an airframe into a bomber and AWACS are dangerous in compromising national secrets. If the bomber gets shot down all of its technology are shown. AWAC's usually have aircover and operate in air dominated region. Bomber are usually penetrating to enemy terriotory and havbe high likelyhood of encounter SAM's or other fighters