Japan to Replace RF-4EJs with F-15Js + SAR Pods

Once upon a time, nations produced dedicated reconnaissance aircraft variants of front like fighters, or even dedicated reconnaissance fighter designs.

These usually involved airframe modifications to place bulky camera equipment in the aircraft's nose and/or centerline, and the sacrifice of guns and some stores stations. Anyone who has ever watched the movie "Terminator" and marveled at the bulky devices that used to be called "portable music players" will understand why this sort of thing isn't necessary any more. Small pods like the RecceLITE, SHARP, LITENING et. al. can be fitted to any fighter, instantly turning it into a reconnaissance and/or targeting platform.

The JASDF 501 Hikotai at Hyakuri flies the Japanese contingent of 27 RF-4EJs. Some were originally RF-4E reconnaissance planes, while others are converted F-4EJ fighters. They are scheduled to be decommissioned shortly, and to replace them...

)Lockheed Martin will create external synthetic aperture radar (SAR) pods that will attach to the belly of Japan's front-line F-15J Eagles, a Mitsubishi-built F-15C variant.

Most reconnaissance and targeting pods are electro-optical, but SAR systems can peer through clouds and darkness to create photo-quality images. They have been used to generate images for a diverse range of military and science applications including: earth resources monitoring, agricultural and land use, ocean spill monitoring, polar ice assessment, intelligence acquisition, battlefield reconnaissance and weapon delivery.

Small SAR systems can even be found these days on some UAVs, like the Thales/Elbit Watchkeeper. The system equipping Japan's F-15Js is likely to be significantly larger, which would improve its range and viewing capabilities.

Once integrated onto the aircraft, the radar will receive, process and disseminate critical targeting information in real-time. The system utilizes a solid-state digital system to record imagery, an airborne data-link to electronically relay information to ground stations, and the SAR to accurately locate targets day or night, and in any type of weather.


Source : Defence Industry Daily (Defense News)
Military Purchasing News for Defense Procurement Managers and Contractors

(http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com)

Posted 22-Jun-2007 09:58

Photo : JAPAN RF-4E
[photo JASDF]


(24.06.2007)