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Expanding the F-1117 Nighthawk mission: JDAMS, daylight flights
Lots of acronyms, but check out the boldfaced comment re: 24 hr stealth presence over battlefields

Lockheed Martin F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighters of the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) 49th Fighter Wing (FW) at Holloman Air Force Base (AFB), New Mexico, are gearing up to take on new roles with new capabilities.

Following the well-publicised involvement of the 8th Fighter Squadron (’Black Sheep’) in Operation ’Iraqi Freedom’ in 2003, the USAF has started to implement new upgrade programmes for the type.

The USAF F-117 Combined Test Force (CTF) successfully released the first Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) from a YF-117A during a weapons test mission on 21 January at the Precision Impact Range Area at Edwards AFB, California. The 410th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS), F-117 CTF, released two types of JDAM 2,000 lb GPS-guided bombs.

This is understood to be part of a $30.3 million Block II upgrade to give the F-117 the capability to employ standard US inertial navigation system/GPS-guided weapons, which started in April 2001.

Block II is a software programme that updates the F-117 Operational Flight Program to integrate advanced weapons, including the Enhanced GBU-27 (EGBU-27), JDAM and Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser (WCMD). Hardware upgrades, including a MIL-STD-1760-compatible Stores Management Processor, are also being introduced.

Lt Col Jim Bierstine, 410th FLTS commander and test pilot for the mission, said: "It is good to see the test force’s hard work and preparations pay off during a test mission. This is just the first step; we will be testing these kinds of weapons through 2005. We are upgrading the F-117 to carry JDAMs and other similar weapons currently used in the USAF inventory. This test will eventually allow the warfighter far greater flexibility during deployed operations."

The GPS-guided JDAM has become the weapon of choice for many of the USAF’s attack platforms; and the F-117 is looking to benefit from the same technology. The variants used on the first test were the GBU-31(v)1/B and the GBU-31(v)3/B.

The GBU-31(v)1/B, based on the Mk 84 bomb, is used for its large blast and explosive force. The GBU-31(v)3/B is a BLU-109 variant used to penetrate hardened targets. Capt Ted Conklin, F-117A weapons flight commander, said: "There’s really nothing new about these particular JDAMs. They are separation test vehicles, or STVs, used purely to test the separation characteristics of the weapon from different platforms."

This first JDAM trial for the F-117 served to validate and provide data for upgrading the F-117 CTF’s JDAM separation model and is the first in a series of planned JDAM separation tests. Capt Conklin added: "We have three more single-release separations planned for each variant [of JDAM]. On completion of this testing, we will proceed with dual-release separation testing. By September, we should have fully defined the operational JDAM envelopes for the F-117A. Coupled with the aircraft’s Block II software upgrade, this capability means significantly increased flexibility and lethality for the F-117A."
Efforts are under way to accelerate this programme; JDAM integration for the F-117 has been on the drawing board for some time. The USAF initially commenced the Mid-Life Improvement Study (MIPS) for the F-117 in early 1995 to analyse weapons, signature reduction and other upgrades. The planned improvements also included a MIL-STD-1760 databus to allow the F-117A to employ the GPS-guided weapons. The USAF has modified around 24 of its F-117s to use the EGBU-27 precision-guided bomb: a version of the standard Lockheed Martin GBU-27 laser-guided bomb, designed to penetrate hardened targets.

The Block II software upgrade is set to begin testing in May 2004, continuing until August 2005. The 49th FW at Holloman AFB expects to receive the upgraded capability in two phases, with initial operational capability in early 2005 and full capability in early 2006.

Further upgrades are planned under the F-117 Combat Capability Sustainment Program (CCSP), which is gearing up for initial developmental activity, according to the F-117 System Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. This programme focuses on avionics components that will pose support problems in the years ahead and replaces or refurbishes those components. Systems targeted include the data transfer system, the colour multi-function displays and the infra-red acquisition and designation system.

In parallel, the USAF is also involved in trials that could see the F-117 taking on a daylight attack role JDW 24 December 2003). The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Detachment 1 (Det 1) at Holloman AFB has painted one F-117A in a new two-tone scheme for the trial. The aircraft, nicknamed ’The Dragon’, is due to participate in tests as part of a programme called Global Strike Task Force, with the F-117 flying alongside the F/A-22 Raptor in several tests. ups the ante significantly

Lt Col Buck Rogers, Det 1 operations officer, said: "The chief of staff wants to have a 24-hour stealth presence over future battlefields. We know our current black paint scheme wouldn’t be a good colour for daytime operations." He added: "Air force leaders will approve additional jets for the grey scheme only if the test results show the change is warranted."

Maj Tre Urso said: "We use the F-117 for everything from new tactics development to the evaluation of new software or hardware. Det 1 has been involved in all the F-117 modifications and upgrades over the years. This trial provides a great opportunity for us to learn about our daytime capabilities and limitations."

Posted by: rkb 2004-02-17
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=26406