Hornet software enhanced

Commander Air Combat Group Air Commodore John Quaife holds a flash card containing the Hornet Operational Flight Program as Squadron Leader Chris Phelan and his team look on. Photo by LAC Steve Duncan

Tactical Fighter Weapon System Support Unit (TFWSSU) has reached a significant milestone with the release to Air Combat Group (ACG) of enhanced Hornet software called Aust Block 2.

Aust Block 2 is the first Australian developed enhancement to the Hornet’s Mission Computer and Stores Management Set software.

TFWSSU was established to provide Australia with an indigenous Operational Flight Program (OFP) development capability for the Hornet aircraft. The next OFP upgrade, Aust Block 3, is already under development and Aust Blocks 4 and 5 are being studied.

The primary tool used in the development and testing of Aust Block 2 was the Integrated Avionics System Support Facility (IASSF).

IASSF is essentially a Hornet without an airframe, consisting of a combination of aircraft avionics, computer models, simulated environments and the supporting computer networks. The IASSF provides both the software tools for the development of OFPs as well as the combination of real and simulated aircraft systems for the majority of product testing.

Not only does the IASSF allow TFWSSU to develop capability for the Hornet unique to Australia, the IASSF also provides the tools necessary to integrate new avionic systems on the aircraft such as guided weapons, electronic warfare systems and display groups.

Officer in Charge TFWSSU Squadron Leader Chris Phelan credited the extraordinary efforts of his section commanders and their teams in the development and proving of the engineering processes used in the creation of Aust Block 2, which was released to ACG on May 23.

He said special credit went to Flight Lieutenants Dean Collins and Trevor O’Neill and Mr Ian Saxby. The development involved the efforts of a combined Air Force, Public Service and contracted workforce, with assistance from CSIRO.

The creation and release of Aust Block 2 has been recognised by Director General Aerospace Combat Systems GACS Air Commodore John Clarkson through the presentation of an Outstanding Team Award.

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