Developed by Hughes via the F-111 program, the AWG-9, mated with the AIM-54 Phoenix, made the Grumman F-14 Tomcat probably the most lethal fleet protection weapon of its time.
Produced by Hughes Plane Firm and initially conceived via the F-111 program, the Air Weapons Group 9 (AWG-9) avionic system discovered a house within the Grumman F-14 Tomcat variable-geometry twin-engine all-weather interceptor/air-superiority fighter and when mated with the AIM-54 Phoenix Air-to-Air missile (AAM), the Tomcat was probably the most lethal fleet protection weapon of its time.
A Highly effective Radar
With a Chilly Conflict period concept relationship again to the ill-fated Douglas F6D Missileer proposal for a carrier-based fleet protection fighter in 1959, adopted by the cancelled U.S. Air Power (USAF) interceptor mission generally known as the XF-108 Rapier, and in addition persevering with on to the U.S. Navy’s (USN) Normal Dynamics /Grumman F-111B which was additionally cancelled, the thought of a long-range interceptor to guard the fleet continued with Hughes Plane making the suggestion of enhancing the ASG-18 radar and AIM-47 missile to fill the necessity. This effort ultimately produced the AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missile to be mated with the brand new VFX mission that ultimately produced the Grumman F-14 Tomcat.
The AWG-9 weapons management system might observe as much as 24 targets without delay and permit 6 of them to be fired upon concurrently. Weapons readiness was mixed in a single management panel, and using information from sensors and/or a two-way information hyperlink that allowed the Tomcat to transmit and obtain data from floor ships and different plane because the system suggested the two-man crew of the best weapons utilization for the scenario. A single Airborne Missile Management System (AMCS) carried out all important navigational capabilities.
The big radar antenna was a slotted planar array kind 36 inches in diameter. The design of the antenna made it much less inclined to sure sorts of jamming, and the aspect lobes (extra vitality spilling over the aspect of the dish that may trigger inaccurate returns) have been a lot smaller. The planar design additionally allowed for the situation of the interferometer identification pal or foe (IFF) antennas.
Scanning hydraulically, with a most scanning sample of 65 levels to both aspect of the Tomcat’s centerline, the antenna targeted radiated vitality right into a slender beam with pulses being transmitted and echoes acquired again. Using the acquired return, a bearing angle was obtained, and the time lapse between emission and return might be measured to calculate a distance.
The AWG-9 was designed with the intent of ultra-long vary detection and weapons steering for primarily the AIM-54 Phoenix AAM. The radar needed to be very excessive energy for this goal, and to be excessive energy, the radar needed to incorporate a excessive pulse repetition frequency (PRF). PRF is the variety of pulses per second a unit transmits.
Being a flexible system, the AWG-9 had 19 channels accessible for pulse-Doppler search indicators, with six channels devoted to the AIM-54 steering, and 5 used for semi-active steering of AIM-7 Sparrow missiles. Having such a excessive variety of channels minimizes the results of enemy ECM (Digital CounterMeasures).
The AWG-9 system initially didn’t have capabilities for the short-range AIM-9 Sidewinder and medium-range AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and this needed to be added together with a monitoring functionality for the M61A1 Vulcan 20 mm cannon.
Within the RIO’s (Radar Intercept Officer) rear cockpit, two CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) shows, generally known as the Element Information Show (DDD) and the Tactical Info Show (TID), displayed data gathered by the AWG-9 system. The DDD displayed primary goal data, whereas the TID introduced processed data on a clutter-free display screen bringing readability to a tactical scenario with alpha-numeric designations for contacts, in addition to altitude, heading, pal or foe id, and firing priorities for hostile contacts that had been processed and calculated by the pc. The RIO did have the power to manually override the firing precedence if want be.
Two totally different modes of presenting the data was potential with the TID, one with the F-14 positioned on the backside of the scope pointing upwards, depicting goal movement in relation to the motion of each plane, or a gyrostabilized view with true north on the prime of the show, with each the goal plane and the Tomcat proven. The RIO had entry to data on the goal reminiscent of vary, altitude, heading, and pace. As much as eight extra contacts may be displayed from data supplied by the two-way information hyperlink generally known as the ASW-27.
The vary of the AWG-9 radar assorted relying on many components, with the contact measurement being one among them. Some sources say the radar might detect massive bombers out to distances over 150 NM (Nautical Miles). The radar was additionally able to monitoring smaller targets reminiscent of fighters at an estimated vary of 90 NM, and even cruise missiles flying low and skimming the waves of the ocean at 50 ft of altitude have been tracked and destroyed by the AWG-9 and the AIM-54 at a distance of twenty-two NM when fired from an F-14 at 10,000 ft.
Rising from the Ashes
The AIM-54 Phoenix is reportedly named such for rising from the ashes of its predecessors, one being the AIM-47A Falcon. Initially designated the AAM-N-11 and developed for the ill-fated F-111B, it was a scaled up model of the AIM-47 with a size of 13 ft, a 15 in diameter, and weighting in at 1,000 to 1,040 lb. Wing span was 3 ft.
Vary was over 100 NM with a pace of over 3,000 mph. The missile was armed with a proximity fused excessive explosive warheads weighing in at 135 lb.
A transmitter/receiver system supplied semi-active steering throughout mid-course flight from data supplied by the AWG-9, and lively radar homing methods guided the missile on its terminal homing using a small planar array antenna and DSQ-26 electronics.
Whereas the US Navy had restricted engagements and successes with the AIM-54, it seems the one different nation to make use of them, Iran, did get pleasure from some success through the Iran-Iraq warfare that lasted from September 1980 to August 1988. Whereas troublesome to find out precise numbers, the Iranian Tomcats are believed to have achieved a big variety of victories over Iraqi plane and even a pair of AM-39 Exocet missiles.
Bettering the AWG-9
The APG-71 was an improve of the AWG-9 for the F-14D with vital enhancements. These included processing pace, muddle rejection, detection vary, and mode flexibility. The system utilized expertise and modules from the F-15E Strike Eagle and contained many options to make the radar much less inclined to jamming. The system had a variety of 230 miles and a datalink that allowed radar information from two or extra F-14Ds to function the system at most vary.
Once more constructed by Hughes, all 55 F-14D fashions acquired the brand new radars earlier than the F-14D program was ultimately cancelled with the Tomcat being retired from the US Navy on Sept. 22, 2006.
New Children on the Block
With the retirement of the AIM-54, nothing within the U.S. arsenal would come near the vary of the Phoenix till the AIM-120D AMRAAM (Superior Medium-Vary Air-to-Air Missile) joint USN and USAF mission crammed the hole. The AIM-174/SM-6 would ultimately fill the roll of a devoted long-range air-to-air missile, the primary because the AIM-54.
The APG-77 radar put in in F-22 Raptors would take the place of probably the most highly effective operational radar on a fight plane in 2005.
A Lasting Legacy
The F-14 Tomcat armed with the AGW-9 radar and the AIM-54 Phoenix protected U.S. Navy belongings from threats at ranges beforehand unprecedented. Hollywood has additionally implanted the weapon system into the hearts and minds of moviegoers because the introduction of High Gun in 1986 and the newer High Gun: Maverick bringing again the growing older variable-geometry fighter for one final hurrah (perhaps?) towards modern-day rivals.
The F-14 is an emblem of American air energy and naval may, with its distinctive look because it buzzes the tower with wings swept totally to the rear and at full afterburners. The mixture of an ideal plane design, a strong radar, and a powerful long-range missile made the Tomcat prime canine throughout its time with the fleet.
