Posted on 08/15/2006 6:26:11 PM PDT by SandRat
8/15/2006 - HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFPN) -- At first glance the A-10 Thunderbolt II cockpit looks like a Category 5 tornado just touched down in the middle of it.
The chaotic scene, with hundreds of loose wires and instrumentation ripped from consoles, is really the beginning of modifications that will extend the service life of A-10s while increasing their capabilities.
Known as the precision engagement, or PE, program, the plan is designed to facilitate the use of smart munitions and update the cockpit so it is more in line with that of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 508th Aircraft Sustainment Wing and 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group here are leading the effort to bring the aircraft into the 21st century.
The 508th Aircraft Sustainment Squadron ensures Air Combat Command requirements regarding the jets are met.
"We work with the contractor to develop hardware and software to meet those requirements," said Capt. Michael Ballak, deputy chief for the A-10 PE program at the sustainment squadron.
"The end product is a modification kit delivered to the 309th for installation on the aircraft," Captain Ballak said.
And that is where the 309th AMXG begins the blue-collar work of putting elbow grease into the aircraft.
"The PE work consists of a huge electrical modification that involves updating the cockpit with new avionics and software, giving pilots greater battlefield awareness," said Robin Ritch, PE section chief for the 309th AMXG. "This means removing some 1,700 wires and replacing them with 14,000 feet of new wire."
Hence, the disaster that is a cockpit in transition. Once completed, the aircraft will include 10 new components, while another 12 will be upgraded.
"We'll add a hands-on throttle and stick feature, plus integrate the targeting pods," said Ms. Ritch. "The Litening pod currently uses only a Maverick missile interface that provides limited functionality. The PE modification provides integration of the Litening and Sniper XR targeting pods."
A team of about 150 Hill civilians and contractors from L3 Communications are heading up the modification.
"They're specialists in electrical systems, sheet metal, general aircraft mechanics and fuels," Ms. Ritch said. We also have some other units supporting the work including the pylon, commodities, avionics and flight test shops."
Specifically, aircraft will be turned over to customers with expanded smart munitions ability for guided bombs and other smart weapons: two multi-functional color cockpit displays; enhanced target identification and designation; wind-corrected munitions dispenser; and double the DC power, giving it the ability to climb higher and faster.
"The A-10 squadron will produce 93 aircraft in fiscal '07," said Rick Merrill, 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron A-10 production chief. "The work will include the precision engagement program, plus service life extension program and plastic media blast -- a corrosion control program. All will be sent back to A-10 combat units stationed worldwide."
The PE portion takes 90 days from wheels down to wheels up. But it is a timeline that will see marked reductions following the team's efforts in "leaning" the process.
"Lean will provide some major improvements in the process," Mr. Merrill said. "It'll bring all of the resources to those performing the work. It means technicians no longer are required to conduct search missions for parts, tooling, kits or anything else required to produce the aircraft. Bottom line is we'll be returning an aircraft that's better able to support the warfighter on the ground and in the air."
"The teamwork between the two units has been outstanding," Captain Ballak said. "No one organization can execute a successful modification alone. It takes a total team effort to pull off a modification of this size."
(Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)
John Shuma rewires the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The work is part of the precision engagement modification program managed by the 309th Aircraft Maintenance Group. Once completed, the aircraft will include 10 new components, while another 12 will be upgraded. Mr. Shuma is an aircraft electrician with L3 Communications. (U.S. Air Force photo/G.A. Volb)
Giving new life to needed Old Birds
Just so 'Mr John' knows what wires to splice, solder and dead-head. Ha!
Go Bless the US Military Men & Women, who fly them, to keep us safe and secure. God Bless America.
I just love the lingo. Makese this sounds like a Pez dispenser.
Everybody should see an A10 demonstration at least once in their life. I can't believe they were thinking of scrapping them a few years ago.
Thank you for the pic. I love the A10. If I were an AF pilot, I'd want that to be my bird.
I like that it is a ground combat plane. Happy hunting!
They should make 2,200 A-10.1's. The A10.1 is the modified version of the A-10 - with Internet access. And it should kill a lot of hostiles.
Anyone who loves the old TAC birds should not miss an opportunity to stop by the old England AFB in Alexandria, LA. It's now a municipal airpark, with a nice upscale hotel, and it has a great little park displaying the following aircraft: F-84F, F-86, F-105, A-7 and A-10, up on pedestals and in immaculate condition. I believe all of them served at England AFB at some time. I was a little surprised to see that even A-10s have joined the "gate guard" forces, but I guess the older ones have turned 20 or so.
The 'Devil's Cross' shall live on.
A thread with a couple pics of a Warthog that got shot up pretty good and the gal that brought it home.
Decorated pilot speaks in Santa Clara - A-10 Warthog Gal
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1594330/posts
and some other threads about
A-10 Warthog Pilot Captain Kim Campbell
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=kimcampbell
and Warthogs too
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=warthog
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
Here's to many more years of killing terrorists and other enemies of our great country.
I have heard the arguments that the mission of the Warthog should be taken over by the F-16, JSF, FB-22, what have you. The Warthog is the perfect plane for its designed mission - close up ground support. The last plane that could do the job this effectively was probably the A-1 Skyraider.
I heard once that they were thinking of scrapping the A-10s becaouse they were taking too many bird strikes on the trailing edge of the wing.
Any truth to that??
Semper Fi,
Don't know about that,.... but I did hear that when the Navy was considering putting them on carriers they discovered that to land them they'd have to put the hook in the nose and sail the carrier under the plane.
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