US WEAPONRY
(AP) _ Descriptions of weapons available to U-S forces against Serb targets.
AIRCRAFT:
EA-6B Prowler
The EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat airplane designed to jam enemy radar and communications and prevent strikes on U-S aircraft. The twin-engine jet is capable of only subsonic speeds. On February third, 1998, a Marine Prowler on a training flight from Aviano Air Base in Italy severed a ski-lift cable and sent a gondola crashing 300 feet to the ground. The 20 people inside, mostly German vacationers, were killed.
Crew: Four.
Contractor: Grumman Aerospace Corp.
Unit Cost: Not available.
E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U-S and NATO air forces. As proven in Desert Storm, it is the premier air battle command and control aircraft in the world today.
The E-3 Sentry is a modified Boeing 707/320 commercial airframe with a rotating radar dome. The radar can look down to detect, identify and track enemy and friendly low-flying aircraft by eliminating ground clutter returns that confuse other radar systems.
Crew: 22-25.
Manufacturer: Boeing/Northrup Grumman.
Unit Cost: $270 (M) million
F-16 CJ and F-16 CG
The F-16 is a compact, multirole fighter aircraft. In an air-combat role, the F-16's maneuverability and combat radius (distance it can fly to enter air combat, stay, fight and return) exceed that of all potential enemies' fighter aircraft. It can locate targets in all weather conditions and detect low-flying aircraft in radar ground clutter. An all-weather capability allows it to use its bombs and missiles accurately even when flying in poor visibility.
Crew: CJ, one; CG, two.
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
Unit Cost: $20 (M) million
F-15 A/C and F-15 B/D
The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle's air superiority comes through exceptional maneuverability and acceleration, range, weapons and avionics. It can penetrate enemy defenses and outperform any current or projected enemy aircraft.
The F-15 has electronic systems and weaponry to detect, acquire, track and attack enemy aircraft while operating in friendly or enemy-controlled airspace. Its weapons and flight-control systems are designed so one person can safely and effectively perform air-to-air combat.
Crew: F-15 A/C, one; F-15 B/D, two.
Manufacturer: Boeing.
Unit Cost: $43 (M) million
B-52
The B-52H bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50-thousand feet. It can carry nuclear or conventional weapons with precision navigation capability worldwide.
In a conventional conflict, the B-52H can perform air interdiction and other offensive operations. During Desert Storm, B-52s delivered 40 percent of all weapons dropped by coalition forces. It is capable of launching cruise missiles armed with high-explosive warheads. It is highly effective when used for ocean surveillance and can assist the Navy in anti-ship and mine-laying operations.
Crew: Five.
Manufacturer: Boeing.
Unit Cost: $30 (M) million
F-117A
The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed to exploit stealth technology, which all but shields it from radar. About the size of an F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine, single-seat aircraft is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight controls. Air refuelable.
Crew: One.
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin.
Unit Cost: $45 (M) million
SHIPS (All equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles):
USS Philippine Sea _ cruiser.
USS Nicholson _ destroyer.
USS Gonzales _ destroyer.
USS Thorn _ destroyer.
USS Norfolk _ attack submarine.
USS Miami _ attack submarine.
Today's News Page.
WTNH Home Page.
©1999 WTNH-TV
A LIN station.
|
