KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2 (Bernama) -- Boeing has 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, Boeing said
in a statement on Wednesday issued in St Louis.
It is part of the US 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 the
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, and the Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, Maryland, 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 in a statement.
"DTS increases pilot and aircrew situational awareness and precision
targeting when engaging air-to-ground targets, in part by using geo-registration
technology," he added.
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 US 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 specialising 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 also a US$32
billion business with 63,000 employees worldwide.
-- BERNAMA
MR AS
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