Posted on 06/21/2010 3:49:33 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
The Boeing Company today announced the start of flight tests for a B-1 Lancer bomber upgraded with new digital avionics for the aft cockpit, including a line-of-sight Link 16 data link. The B-1 Fully Integrated Data Link (FIDL) made its first flight test on June 4 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
The four-hour flight was conducted by the U.S. Air Force around the local Edwards test ranges. The crew successfully tested the Link 16 data link by sending and receiving text messages and receiving virtual mission assignment data such as target coordinates for a weapon.
Link 16 adds line-of-sight capability to the B-1's existing beyond line-of-sight Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP) data link, and integrates the JREAP data onto new, full-color displays with intuitive symbols and moving maps.
"Link 16 will allow the B-1 to be an active participant in a network that is commonly used by fighter, reconnaissance and command-and-control aircraft," said Mark Angelo, B-1 program manager for Boeing. "With Link 16, target coordinates can be sent directly to the weapon system from ground troops or forward operating bases, instead of the current method, where crew members type the coordinates in by hand after hearing them over the radio."
The program will conduct three flight tests this month. Additional flight tests will take place through January 2011. The entire Air Force fleet of 66 B-1s is expected to receive the FIDL upgrade.
(Excerpt) Read more at boeing.mediaroom.com ...
Ping
Groovy. Aft cockpit? What’s that? Is that something the B-1 has always had?
Still one of the best-looking airplanes in history.
“B-1” Bob Dornan commemorative bump
Link 16 “new” huh? That was pushing middle age when I got out of the Navy in 1997.
They call it the BONE (B-ONE) rather than the Lancer.
Just guessing but I think the B-1 could out-turn a F-111.
Sadly this is the only video on Youtube I could find of it. I gather the Van Nuys airshow is no more.
They cancelled the air shows years ago.
The Edwards and Miramar air shows are the best
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