Armament Control System and Global Positioning System Design Issues

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Armament Control System and Global Positioning System Design Issues

Rigby, Keith A.

The overriding principle for the control of a weapon must be such that the safety of the crew and the aircraft are not compromised. Central to achieving this requirement is the Stores Management System (SMS). The SMS manages the weapon load‐out and controls the safe arming, release, jettison, and operation of any store loaded on the aircraft, including the generation of high‐integrity data messages required by the weapon to ensure its safe operation. This chapter explores the design considerations for an SMS and its associated components and outlines common system architectures that are found in a modern Armament Control System, and the various forms of Air‐to‐Ground weapon training aids that could be employed.

Although safe control of weapons is essential, the weapons also have to be released such that they have the best opportunity of hitting the target. The navigation accuracy with which a weapon can prosecute a target is an important factor, with the emphasis being placed for modern weapons on the employment of the Global Positioning System. The integration of such weapons brings with it special problems for the aircraft systems integrator which are also explored in this chapter.