Phantom88 Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Boeing begins production of Distributed Targeting System DTS enhances Super Hornet aircrews’ situational awareness when engaging air-to-ground targets Initial Operational Capability scheduled for January 2013 ST. LOUIS, Feb. 1, 2012 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has started production of the new Distributed Targeting System (DTS) for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter. DTS provides enhanced targeting capability for the Super Hornet. It is part of the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18E/F Network Centric Warfare Upgrades program and the F/A-18E/F Flight Plan, which will ensure that the Super Hornet remains ahead of emerging threats in coming decades. The Navy granted approval for Low Rate Initial Production of DTS following successful completion of initial operational assessment flight testing at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., and Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., between September 2010 and March 2011. Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons VX-31 and VX-23 conducted the tests. “Distributed targeting is going to be a real game-changer for Super Hornet aircrews,” said Kevin Fogarty, Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18G Mission Systems director. “DTS increases pilot and aircrew situational awareness and precision targeting when engaging air-to-ground targets, in part by using geo-registration technology.” Geo-registration technology compares images taken from tactical sensors with an onboard imagery database to produce highly accurate target coordinates. DTS is on schedule to achieve Initial Operational Capability in January 2013. The Boeing Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 480 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy. Every Super Hornet produced has been delivered ahead of schedule and on budget. A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 63,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense. http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2117 Patrick
VFA41_Lion Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Sounds awesome but I have no idea what it really means :p
Pyroflash Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Probably referring to a networked system to distributing targeting data among flights that also has the capability to cross-compare stored geographical data to data collected from onboard systems in an attempt to resolve any sensor miscompare errors and/or make the weapons more precise. 1 If you aim for the sky, you will never hit the ground.
tflash Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Or maybe 3D overlay the images that come from different networked sensors? Would be very helpful to get precise geolocation data for exact height etc. [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
Pyroflash Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Or maybe 3D overlay the images that come from different networked sensors? Would be very helpful to get precise geolocation data for exact height etc. The sensors probably do that automatically, otherwise we would run into the errors that we currently experience when the sensor data hits a discrepancy with the information provided in the database. Which is, the guided munition in question usually misses its intended target by quite a bit. That's when the HOT elevations are used, however with this new system, the computer would do the comparison itself and figure out which elevation is more correct. It cuts down on pilot workload and makes sure the weapons hit their intended target, not some poor guy's house a block north. If you aim for the sky, you will never hit the ground.
aaron886 Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Which is only becoming more important with the continued rise of GPS-guided munitions.
tflash Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 But it is also important for the correct targeting and fuzing of a laser-guided munition, no? [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC]
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