The original all-weather system
APG-70 radar, LANTIRN, a redesigned cockpit and the aircraft’s navigation system provided the foundation for day, night and poor-weather strike. Part 1 explains how these elements were tested and made to work as a coherent system.
Targeting pods and shared information
Litening, Sniper, Fighter Data Link and later networking changed what crews could see and share. Their importance lies not only in specification improvements but in how they altered situational awareness, workload and tactical options.
The hidden architecture of modernisation
The Mission Equipment Data Bus, Advanced Display Core Processors and Universal Armament Interface are less visible than a radar or weapon, but central to later capability. They enabled faster integration of Small Diameter Bomb, Laser JDAM, APG-82 AESA and other systems.
Survivability and the 4.5-generation aircraft
MIDS-JTRS, EPAWSS, universal weapons integration and cooperation with fifth-generation aircraft show how a mature airframe can be transformed by changes to sensing, connectivity, software and electronic warfare.