What is the "Sensor Fusion" Feature in Advanced Combat Aircraft?
Sensor fusion provides "Superman" capabilities to the pilot. Thanks to this feature, pilots are transformed into people with superior capabilities, who can observe their surroundings at 360 degrees at very long ranges, analyse enormous data very quickly and with very high accuracy, and neutralise the enemy before the enemy can see or hear them.
In fact, the sensor fusion feature in military aviation has started to be mentioned a lot, especially with the F-35.
Advanced sensor fusion automatically analyses data from sensors embedded in the jet fuselage and converts them into useful information for pilots. Sensor fusion is a "pilot-friendly" feature/facility.
Sensor fusion provides "Superman" capabilities to the pilot. Thanks to this feature, pilots are transformed into people with superior capabilities, who can observe their surroundings at 360 degrees at very long ranges, analyse enormous data very quickly and with very high accuracy, and neutralise the enemy before the enemy can see or hear them.
So, was this sensor fusion feature, which is available on the F-35, not available on the F-22, for example? Yes, and it was probably even more advanced. In fact, EF Typhoon, Rafale, Gripen, etc. are also present in advanced 4th++ and 5th generation aircraft, but as a concept describing a whole of systems; it has become widespread especially with the F-35.
The ability to collect, compile and share information, called sensor fusion, is the key to survival, defence, offence and development against increasingly complex threats. It is a superior capability that provides pilots with an integrated, intuitive view of their environment, greatly enhancing survivability, effectiveness and interoperability.
Which Main/Sub-Systems Comprise the Critical Systems Enabling Sensor Fusion in a Fighter Aircraft?
Although their quantities and capacities vary from aircraft to aircraft, the main main/sub-systems that constitute the totality of systems providing sensor fusion are as follows
§ Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESA):
AESA radars are the most capable radars in the world. They support a wide range of missions with long range, active and passive, air-to-air and air-to-ground modes.
§ DAS (Distributed Aperture System):
Six infrared cameras mounted on the fuselage of the aircraft, collecting real-time images displayed on the pilot's JHMCS (Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System) helmet.
§ EOTS (Electro Optical Targeting System):
EOTS is a system integrated into the fuselage of aircraft that provides extended range detection, precision targeting against ground targets and long-range detection of air-to-air threats.
§ Helmet Mounted Display:
These helmets are among the most advanced pieces of technology in aircraft. A new generation interface allows pilots to access a huge amount of information. Virtual capabilities on the display allow pilots to see behind their jet or look directly at the target.
Conclusion:
The highly advanced sensor packages that have been widely used in the 4th and 5th generation aircraft in the last 20 years and the fusion effect created by these sensors provide significant advantages over their competitors with the interoperability of these aircraft and other land-sea-air-space platforms and the simple, effective and fast information flow it provides to the pilot and the deterrence features it creates for the enemy.
