US Navy cites PLAAF to Justify F-18E/F Sensor Upgrade

Re: US Navy Sites PLAAF to Justify F-18E/F Sensor Upgrade

unknauthr said:

According to this week's issue of Aviation Week, the US Navy is seeking to upgrade its Super Hornets with an IR imaging sensor similar to that found in many Russian and European fighters (4 June 2007 issue, page 30).

What's perhaps most interesting is the rationale provided for this addition: to provide an additional sensor suite that would not be susceptible to Chinese jamming:

"Although the service has been upgrading the fighter's radar, and the latest version (the APG-79 with active electronically scanned array) should have enhanced ability to nullify hostile jamming, Navy officials are worried about the proliferation of X-band electronic countermeasures systems, which could degrade radar performance. In particular, China's expansive spending on electronic warfare equipment is being carefully monitored. The service fears this build-up could compromise their own freedom to operate in the Pacific."​

I thought that those AESA radars were supposed to solve everything . . .

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"In particular, China's expansive spending on electronic warfare equipment is being carefully monitored. The service fears this build-up could compromise their own freedom to operate in the Pacific" so basically now The United States will have a harder time spying on China. hmmmm.....am i correct?

Here's something from the opposite end... analyst recommends slashing the F-35 program because China's strategic depth is "too deep" for short-legged strike aircraft:

adeptitus said:

Here's something from the opposite end... analyst recommends slashing the F-35 program because China's strategic depth is "too deep" for short-legged strike aircraft:

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That can't be true, I thought the F-35 had longer range than the F-16, I read that web site and they say the Air Force should buy only 880 F-35's and than buy 880 Block 60 F-16's. But the F-35 has longer range and is stealthy and can carry far more weapons than the F-16. I read that the F-35 can carry 10 air to air missiles or 4 air to air missiles and 6 two thousand pound bombs.

Well that depends, with full external fuel load, two Sidewinderes and two Mk84, the F-16s combat radius is quoted as some 1.300km. This is not a great load of course and range shrinks with a better loadout.
The F-35 is quoted around 1.100km. I'm not shure but I think it's in a clean config. With external tanks, it's weapon carrying capability of course shrinks and it compromises stealth.
With the SDB, it's strike capability will get better.
But a true long range fighter/striker is somethink different, IMO.
And if you consider China as a potential threat, it's strategic depth and width make such an oppinian as in adeptius' link perhaps understanable.

unknauthr said:

According to this week's issue of Aviation Week, the US Navy is seeking to upgrade its Super Hornets with an IR imaging sensor similar to that found in many Russian and European fighters (4 June 2007 issue, page 30).

What's perhaps most interesting is the rationale provided for this addition: to provide an additional sensor suite that would not be susceptible to Chinese jamming:

"Although the service has been upgrading the fighter's radar, and the latest version (the APG-79 with active electronically scanned array) should have enhanced ability to nullify hostile jamming, Navy officials are worried about the proliferation of X-band electronic countermeasures systems, which could degrade radar performance. In particular, China's expansive spending on electronic warfare equipment is being carefully monitored. The service fears this build-up could compromise their own freedom to operate in the Pacific."​

I thought that those AESA radars were supposed to solve everything . . .

Click to expand...

It just goes to show the new military equipments the United States is getting is not to fight terrorism but to stay ahead of China. They would never use advanced systems like the F-22 to fight terrorists, because that's just overkill. In any case, all the rhetoric you hear about the global war on terror is actually to unite all countries together against a common enemy (terrorism), so in essence, United States and China are allies.

Yes, that's correct. F/A-18E/F and EA-18G block II have IRST.

Schematic: