When aircraft launch from the rain-soakedBritish Isles in September on their eastwardjourney to support Operations Iraqi andEnduring Freedom, they will be fitted with themost advanced avionics and carry the mostaccurate, lethal weapons in the Air Forceinventory.The Liberty Wing takes the AF lead withnew Advanced Display Core Processors, <strong>Suite</strong>5 software, improved Link 16 imagery andexpanded munition capabilities on all deployingaircraft.The overhaul is no small feat. “Fourteencivilian contractors work in 24 hour shiftsSunday through Friday to prepare the aircraftto deploy,” said Capt. Ken Sumler, 48thMaintenance Operation Squadron,Maintenance Operations Flight commander.Jet48NewsLiberty Wing jets receive high tech overhaulBy Airman 1st Class Michael Hess48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office<strong>Suite</strong> 5 and the Advanced DisplayCore ProcessorsEach modification increases combat effectiveness,though all are linked to the hardwaresoftwarecombination of <strong>Suite</strong> 5 and theAdvanced Display Core Processors.“You can think of it like a home computer.The hardware, the ADCP, is the processor. Youcan’t run high-end software on a system thatcan’t support it. You can’t run Windows XP ona computer that’s running off a 233 megahertzprocessor. You need something with morepower, the ADCP offers that,” said Master Sgt.Bryon Parsons, wing avionics manager.The aircraft performs many of the samefunctions that it did before, though now it doesthem better.Link-16 imagery softwareThe Link-16 system, previously installed onthe aircraft, was never used to full potential.Link-16 technology displays a wireframeimage of an area including simple symbols thatrepresent friend or foe. The system not onlyshows real-time location, but communicatesvia wireless data transfer with the friendlyblips to display their individual fuel and armamentloads.“Link 16 has incredible tactical capability.A ground force or AWACS can reach out to agroup of aircraft orbiting the area withoutusing radio and task them with a mission. Theflight lead, based on their mission load, fueland armaments, respond by pushing one of twobuttons to select - ‘No go’ or ‘Wilco’ (willcomply), which is transmitted back to theAWACS or ground force personnel,” saidSergeant Parsons.The system has always been able to functionas a tactical and strategic tool. Now, withthe new processor speed and software, it canlink with an orbiting Predator, AWACS orground troop and receive mission-criticalimagery while a mission is underway.“Even if a target changes positions whilewe are in the air, someone on the ground canradio or send images to us and we can adjustthe mission accordingly,” said Capt. JosephSiberski, 494th Fighter Squadron wingweapons and tactics project officer.“This is an enormous advancement to theprogram,” said Sergeant Parsons.Advanced targeting podIn January 2005, technicians fitted LibertyWing aircraft with an advanced targeting pod,which gave aircrew members the ability todesignate a target, transmit geospatial coordinatesto the weapon systems.“The advanced targeting pods have addedphenomenal capabilities to our tactical missions,”said Lt. Col. James McGovern, 492ndFighter Squadron commander, in September2005, when his squadron received the pod.Even this system gets an improvement from<strong>Suite</strong> 5.“The new targeting pod is a major advancement.The pod uses the LANTIRN targetingsystem display and has its own symbolism,which simply laid over the old system symbolism,causing unnecessary clutter. <strong>Suite</strong> 5 wasspecifically programmed to incorporateadvanced targeting pod data into the aircraftsensor suite. . Everything on the aircraft nowspeaks the same language,” said SergeantParsons.<strong>Suite</strong> 5 and the ADCP make all the componentsfaster and able to handle smarterFile photoweapons, which is primary purpose for thedevelopments.“These modifications will help us directlysupport ground operations in Iraqi andEnduring Freedom as we provide close air supportfor conventional and special operations,”said Captain Siberski.The first modified F-15E Strike Eagle inoperational use was overhauled in January aspart of the initial validation-verificationprocess, which ensures the plans on the papermatch properly with the materials and tools inthe modification kits. While the first aircraftwas modified, aircrew members trained at the422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at NellisAir Force Base, Nev., to learn the new systems.“The authorization for us to modify and flythe new software suite was just released. Thetest community has been working on <strong>Suite</strong> 5for years now,” said Captain Siberski.The pieces of the puzzle will fit together inSeptember when the 494th FS deploy with themodified aircraft, trained aircrew andimproved weapons.When the aircraft scream off the runwaywith their high-tech overhaul, they will be,quite literally, the most capable F-15E StrikeEagle force in the world with more coming upbehind it.“We plan to have our entire inventory of F-15Es upgraded with <strong>Suite</strong> 5, starting with the494th Fighter Squadron, which will deploy andthen we will install the same capability in the492nd FS,” said Sergeant Parsons.When the time comes, the squadron will befully capable, followed by the rest of the AirForce as each F-15 squadron across the AirForce prepares to deploy with enhancements.JUNE 30, 2006 JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 17
Jet48Health and Fitness352 OSS takes<strong>down</strong> 48 CES BRyan Watkins, 48 CES B’s first baseman,looks for the ball as he runs home duringtheir match up against the 352ndOperations Support Squadron, <strong>RAF</strong>Mildenhall, here Tuesday.Photos by Senior Airman Vanessa YoungThe 48th Civil Engineer Squadron intramural softball B team’s third baseman, David Moats,reaches to field a ball during their game versus the 352nd Operations Support Squadron,<strong>RAF</strong> Mildenhall, here Tuesday. The 352 OSS beat the 48 CES B, 18-8.american leaguesoftballnational leaguelakenheathintramuralsportsschedulesWednesdayField 15:30 p.m. 95 RS vs. 48 SFS B6:30 p.m. 48 MDG A vs. 48 CS7:30 p.m. 352 MXG B vs. 100 CES8:30 p.m. 492 FS A vs. 48 SFS BField 25:30 p.m. 48 CMS B vs. 48 AMXS B6:30 p.m. 352 SOG B vs. 100 SVS7:30 p.m. 48 CES A vs. 48 MDG BThursdayField 15:30 p.m. 352 vs. 48 SFS A6:30 p.m. 48 AMXS vs. 352 MXG A7:30 p.m. 727 AMS vs. 100 LRS8:30 p.m. 48 CES B vs. DET. 4Field 25:30 p.m. 48 MOS vs. 48 LRS A6:30 p.m. 48 MUNS B vs. 100 SFSInformation provided by the Fitness center.For more information, contact 226-3607.JET 48 MAGAZINE PAGE 18JUNE 30, 2006
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