Israeli Defense Industries Consortium Unveils Upgraded F-16 Ace Aircraft At Paris Air Show
Jun 14, 1999
The Avionics Capabilities Enhancement (ACE) upgraded F-16 will be displayed for the first time at the 1999 Paris Air Show.
The ACE F-16 program is a joint program of Israel defense industries and is being led by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. Lahav Division and Elbit Systems. The program is supported by the Israel Ministry of Defense and the Israel Ministry of Finance to create an advanced upgraded F-16 configuration for the Israel Air Force (IAF). The industry consortium is working in full cooperation with the F-16s original equipment manufacturer, Lockheed-Martin.
As scheduled, the ACE F-16 will make its maiden flight in the last quarter of 2000, followed by an extensive test flight program to verify ACEs capabilities. Actual upgrade of the IAF F-16 fleet could take place as early as 2001.
First phase of the ACEs development has already been completed with IAIs Lahav Division and Elbit System finishing their evaluation of various configurations, followed by completion of preliminary design of the upgraded cockpit. The selected configuration incorporates many of the aerospace industries latest technological advancements.
Pilots flying the ACE F-16 configuration will be able to detect and identify their targets using the IAI/ELTA E/L-2032 radar. This is a state-of-the-art radar for air-to-air incorporating SAR capability for air-to-ground operations. Targets will be presented on a new configuration, three multi-functions, 5 X 7 inch, liquid crystal displays manufactured by Astronautics/Elbit Systems.
A wide angle Head Up Display (HUD) manufactured by El-Op is used as the primary means to display aircraft and target information superimposed in the pilots view. The HUD will be fully integrated with Elbit Systems Display and Sight Helmet (DASH), allowing the pilot the option to either use the HUD or the helmet display as the primary data display.
To reduce pilot workload, the ACE system will include El-Ops Up Front Control Panel combined with a LCD that will be in immediate view and reach of the pilot. This man/machine interface configuration is based on the extensive operational experience of the Israel Air Force. The design goal of this system was to reduce pilot required actions to the absolute minimum.
The information received by the on-board and off-board sensors will be directed to an Israeli developed mission and display processor manufactured by Elbit System. This computer, with very high memory and computation capabilities, is the brains of the avionics system. The open architecture system has the capability to integrate sensors, data link systems and existing and future weapon systems, without hardware changes.
Sensors like Rafaels Litening; Elisras Radar Warning Receiver and EW; IAI/Lahav, IAI/MLM, and Rafaels advanced data link; Radas data transfer equipment and Elbit Systems digital moving map and embedded GPS INS are the major elements in the ACE F-16 upgraded package.
Additional equipment in the ACE F-16 configuration include Eltas ECM pod; the Popeye guided missile; the Israel Military Industries (IMI) 600 gallon tanks; and Python air to air missiles made by Rafael.
The ACEs upgrade will also include a structural enhancement program, which will be done by IAIs Lahav Division.
All of the upgrades will be supplied to customer with a full Integrated Logistic Support package, those needed to support the new core avionics, new sensors, and advanced weapons.
For more information, contact:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corp VP for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 93 5-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@hdq.iai.co.il
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