How difficult is it to modify an electronic warfare aircraft? Today, let's explore the truth
2024-01-19
Not long ago, Germany decided to order 15 new Typhoon EK electronic warfare aircraft for the Air Force. This type of aircraft will be modified based on the current Typhoon fighter jet and equipped with Alexis electronic warfare components produced by Saab in Sweden, to replace the old Gale ECR electronic warfare aircraft. Electronic warfare aircraft are specialized aircraft that conduct electronic reconnaissance, interference, and attack on radar, communication, command and control, and electronic guidance systems. They play a crucial role in electromagnetic spectrum warfare. In electronic warfare, electronic warfare aircraft have made outstanding contributions in supporting interference, suppressing enemy air defense systems, and providing cover for attacking aircraft groups to carry out breakthroughs, thus earning the title of "air power multiplier". Its existence has also become an important criterion for measuring the strength of a country's air combat capabilities. The modification of electronic warfare aircraft requires not only strong comprehensive national strength as support, but also strong industrial strength as support. Taking the new "Typhoon" EK electronic warfare aircraft as an example, this project gathers the scientific and technological forces of multiple European countries, applies a large amount of advanced technology, and invests huge funds, which shows the difficulty of modification. So, what are the difficulties in modifying electronic warfare aircraft? In this issue, let's take a closer look. How difficult is it to modify an electronic warfare aircraft? Conceptual diagram of an electronic warfare aircraft. The data and images closely follow the iterative upgrade of the main combat aircraft, making it an indispensable member of the modern air force weapon array. Currently, many countries around the world have installed electronic warfare aircraft, but the main source is purchasing products from other countries, and there are very few countries that can independently manufacture electronic warfare aircraft. This type of aircraft is mostly modified from fighter jets, transport planes, bombers and other models, which undoubtedly raises the development threshold for countries lacking large aircraft and advanced fighter manufacturing technology. Furthermore, having mature fighter jets does not necessarily mean being able to manufacture electronic warfare aircraft. This remains a highly challenging leap, filled with various technological challenges. In order to meet the functional requirements of electronic warfare aircraft, it is generally necessary to adjust the structure of its original platform. Internally, it is necessary to adjust the layout of scattering source components such as the cockpit and intake to leave space for the electronic warfare system, while minimizing strong reflections of infrared radiation and radar signals. On the external structure, several electronic pod devices need to be installed at positions such as wings and wingtips. Looking back at the early days of its birth, many countries around the world developed electronic warfare aircraft primarily based on bombers. During World War II, with a large number of surveillance radars deployed on the battlefield, bombers were increasingly threatened by ground artillery fire. For this reason, the Allies specially developed active jamming devices, electronic warning devices, and passive jamming devices for radar. Both Britain and the United States dismantled weapons from fighter jets and bombers, installed electronic reconnaissance and electronic jamming equipment, and converted them into aircraft specifically designed for electronic support and cover missions. Early electronic warfare aircraft emerged as a result. Later, with the development of jet fighters, the air force's combat range became increasingly large, and electronic warfare aircraft modified from bombers could only perform electronic interference missions outside the defense zone and could not penetrate the most dangerous areas. At the same time, anti-aircraft missiles have emerged, posing a huge threat to fighter jets. Electronic warfare aircraft, which mainly rely on "soft kill", urgently need to transform towards "hard kill" and develop direct launch missiles to destroy ground defense
Edit：Luo yu Responsible editor：Wang er dong
Source：PLA Daily
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