AN/AAQ-37

The AN/AAQ-37 Electro-optical Distributed Aperture System (DAS) is the first of a new generation of sensor systems being fielded on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. DAS consists of six high-resolution infrared sensors mounted around the F-35's airframe in such a way as to provide unobstructed spherical (4π steradian) coverage and functions around the aircraft without any pilot input or aiming required.[1]

Two AN/AAQ-37 sensors just below the canopy, above the nose. Below the nose, the electro-optical targeting system

The DAS provides three basic categories of functions in every direction simultaneously:[2]

The F-35's DAS was flown in military operational exercises in 2011,[4] has demonstrated the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles to ranges exceeding 800 miles (1,300 km),[5] and has also demonstrated the ability to detect and track multiple small suborbital rockets simultaneously in flight.[6] The AN/AAQ-37 DAS is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman. The current sensors used in the system may have insufficient night acuity for pilots used to flying with night vision goggles (NVG), and are therefore augmented by an embedded NVG camera in the helmet.[7] A DAS test system has also been used to track tank gun firing, but this is "not an F-35 requirement".[8]

References
  1. Carey, Bill. "'Game-Changing' EO DAS Nears Action on Joint Strike Fighter". Avionics Magazine. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  2. "Northrop Grumman F-35 DAS". Northrop Grumman. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  3. "F-35 DAS Video". Northrop Grumman. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. Saiki, Lt. Col. Tracey. "'Continued testing of F-35 JSF sensors a success at Northern Edge 2011". Northern Edge Joint Information Bureau. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  5. "'Distributed Aperture System Tracks Ballistic Missiles from 1,300 km Away". Defense Update. Archived from the original on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  6. "'Airborne Sensors Tracked NASA Suborbital Rockets". Defense Update. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  7. Ewing, Philip. "Lockheed’s comprehensive Q&A on the F-35." Archived 2012-08-18 at the Wayback Machine DoD Buzz, June 19th, 2012.
  8. "F-35 device shows new capabilities."
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