Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS)
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There are a few realms remaining where America's lead has not been surrendered to the world; among them are military and aerospace systems. The technological prowess applied to these tactical and strategic systems are the most advanced anywhere. Yes, there are areas where other countries have the lead, but despite the best efforts of some of our scumbag politicians, overall our advantage is unquestionable. It has never been so that if you are nice to everybody, then everybody will be nice to you. Any country or bloc that lets down its guard will eventually be attacked and dominated by an aggressor. Sorry, it's just the way it is on Planet Earth. That said, I am glad to see promotions (call it propaganda if you like) for systems like Northrop Grumman's AN/AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for airborne platforms like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It assimilates data from a wide array of sensors spread across the aircraft structure to generate a comprehensive situational awareness for the pilot. In fact, DAS has the capability to share data with other craft in its company to enhance group effectiveness. Combined with advanced smart missiles, search and destroy, evade and escape, and dogfighting missions, DAS will provide an even higher probability of success.

Among the capabilities of DAS are missile detection and tracking, launch point detection, situational awareness, IRST (infra-red search and track ) & cueing, weapons support, and day/night navigation. Watching the video is like seeing the trailer of a sophisticated video game. If you doubt whether these types of systems can really perform the kind of actions shown here, look around on YouTube for actual footage of airborne engagements made in the last few years in the Middle East. The surgical precision of the missile strikes are utterly incredible.

As unpopular as the claim might be to some, the technology to enable an acquire, lock-on, and shoot-down capability on maneuverable airborne targets got its start in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, aka "Star Wars") program that began in the 1980s. Despite large efforts by the media and lawmakers to discredit and undermine the efforts, we now have viable systems with real world proof of capability. If we want to continue to be a free people, the work must not be allowed to be stopped.

If you would like to take part in Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems' efforts, check out their Careers page. (No, I am not getting paid to promote them)

Posted August 23, 2011