Electric Fuzing Instrumentation System Test Program on the F/A-18A aircraft

摘要

NAVAIRSYSCOM is currently conducting an Electric Fuzing Dud Investigation Systems Engineering Analysis of the F/A-18 Fighter Aircraft. To support that effort, NAWCAD Air Vehicle Stores Compatibility Division was tasked by PMA-201 to develop a quick install, deployable EFUZIS to collect electrical fuzing data during practice bombing missions. The system consists of COTS digital recorder and specially designed signal conditioner that will record real-time nontelemetered electric fuzing data during bomb drops. The purpose of the testing was to qualify the instrumentation system for use on testing and training squadron F/A-18C/D aircraft. Ground testing was done over a period of 4 days and consisted of 73 ground drops utilizing Mk-82 bomb bodies in the parent rack and canted vertical ejection rack (CVER) configurations. Electric fuzing data was collected during these drops and analyzed to ensure that proper signal timing, amplitude, polarity, and duration were being recorded. The results of the ground tests showed that the EFUZIS performed as designed. Flight testing followed to test the effects of the flight environment on the recorder system. Flight testing consisted of a single flight during which two Mk-82 bombs were released using the CVER configuration. In addition, dynamic test maneuvers were performed to evaluate the effects of load factors on the EFUZIS. Flight test results showed that the instrumentation system recorded all the required parameters and that the recorder was able to withstand the flight environment. Overall, the EFUZIS demonstrated excellent potential for gathering electrical fuzing data as proven by the extensive ground and flight testing performed by the test team.