dmk0210 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Why is the tip of the A-10's right landing gear pod black? Is there a radar in there? If so, when was this added? I don't see this on the older green camo A-10s. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Nope, there's no radar on operational A-10's. Some other electronic equipment, most likely - the front of the undercarriage pod houses a refuelling point. I have seen some pics of A-10A's in the Europe 1 scheme which have the black area as well, although the vast majority does not. HTH, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmk0210 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 (edited) Nope, there's no radar on operational A-10's. Some other electronic equipment, most likely - the front of the undercarriage pod houses a refuelling point. I have seen some pics of A-10A's in the Europe 1 scheme which have the black area as well, although the vast majority does not. HTH, Andre I was thinking it might be a ranging radar for the CCIP bomb computer or the gun sight. (I know the old F-86 had a small radar on the nose for the gun sight) I know the left pod houses the refueling stuff. This is on the right side. Edited December 14, 2011 by dmk0210 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 It's an antenna in there. I'll have to look at my Hog Guide to be sure, but I seem to think it's the localizer and/or glideslope antenna in there. It was in the early '90s that they started painting them black. Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 It's an antenna in there. I'll have to look at my Hog Guide to be sure, but I seem to think it's the localizer and/or glideslope antenna in there. It was in the early '90s that they started painting them black. Jake Jakes right about the antennas and I remember when we were at Gunsmoke 91 our jets were written up for that radome still being green. (yours truly's jet was selected for the appearance competition) Dang TCTO came down to repaint them black while we were at George AFB practicing for the competition and we didnt get it... So they started painting them October 91. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Jakes right about the antennas and I remember when we were at Gunsmoke 91 our jets were written up for that radome still being green. (yours truly's jet was selected for the appearance competition) Dang TCTO came down to repaint them black while we were at George AFB practicing for the competition and we didnt get it... So they started painting them October 91. Heheh... it's the new game show called YOU CAN'T WIN!! :) Typical military, eh? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Why did they want them painted black, Craig? What does it matter? Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GEH737 Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 That started coming on board as I was leaving in '90. I thought it was for the LASTE system. From the 'net; "The A/OA-10 weapon system was originally designed for manual pilot operation and control. In 1990, the aircraft was modified to incorporate the Low Altitude Safety and Targeting Enhancements (LASTE) System. This system provided computer-aided capabilities including a Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) to issue warnings of impending collision with the ground, an Enhanced Attitude Control (EAC) function for aircraft stabilization during gunfire and a Low Altitude Autopilot system, and computed weapon delivery solutions for targeting improvements. The LASTE computer system installation added the requirement for an Operational Flight Program (OFP) to provide the computer control software necessary to perform the above functions." Hitch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmk0210 Posted December 14, 2011 Author Share Posted December 14, 2011 ..This system provided computer-aided capabilities including a Ground Collision Avoidance System (GCAS) to issue warnings of impending collision with the ground... Wouldn't that require Radar? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 Wouldn't that require Radar? It uses a radio altimeter, which isn't technically a radar. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
racerman Posted December 14, 2011 Share Posted December 14, 2011 The ILS equipment is located there. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
boom175 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Why did they want them painted black, Craig? What does it matter? Jake They said that the camoflague paint blocked the signal, the black paint is "radome" paint and is supposed to be "transparent" to the frequencies needed. I am almost sure its the ILS antenna, I'll have to check my -1 when I get home. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jmel Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 Thanks for the explanation, Craig. That makes sense. Jake Quote Link to post Share on other sites
helyun302 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 As a current avionics specialist on the Hawg, I can verify it is the glidesope antenna for the ILS. The radome is not painted black, its a rubberish coating to allow for signal pass-through. Ingrediants in aircraft paint blocks rf energy, no antenna on aircraft is actually painted, if it is, it should be replaced. The antennas for the radar altimeter, yes radar, are located under the horizontal stab and on the outsides of the verticals. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 This conversation is cool as sheeet! I knew Hitch was on here, but DANG, they are some truly great ones in this site!!! Thanks for the info!!! -Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mawz Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 As a current avionics specialist on the Hawg, I can verify it is the glidesope antenna for the ILS. The radome is not painted black, its a rubberish coating to allow for signal pass-through. Ingrediants in aircraft paint blocks rf energy, no antenna on aircraft is actually painted, if it is, it should be replaced. The antennas for the radar altimeter, yes radar, are located under the horizontal stab and on the outsides of the verticals. There are in fact special paints which can be used to paint antennae, which are sometimes referred to as dielectric paints but as far as I'm aware the US typically does not use them, preferring coloured but unpainted coverings. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmk0210 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 This conversation is cool as sheeet! I knew Hitch was on here, but DANG, they are some truly great ones in this site!!! Thanks for the info!!! +1 Thanks for the info guys! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Thorsten Wieking Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 +1 Thanks for those small insights into things not every article or monographie actually tells. Cheers Thorsten Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 There are in fact special paints which can be used to paint antennae, which are sometimes referred to as dielectric paints but as far as I'm aware the US typically does not use them, preferring coloured but unpainted coverings. Then again - the A-10 does need all the aesthetic help possible. ;) Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dmk0210 Posted December 15, 2011 Author Share Posted December 15, 2011 (edited) Then again - the A-10 does need all the aesthetic help possible. ;) The A-10 is a beautiful aircraft.How can you not love this face? Edited December 15, 2011 by dmk0210 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andre Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 The A-10 is a beautiful aircraft. I'm sure several people in Iraq or Aghanistan wouldn't agreed with you... had they survived. ;) The A-10A may not be conventionally beautiful, but it is one of my favorite current jets. Cheers, Andre Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Liberator24 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 and they go and take it off the roster for this years airshows....whaaaaaat???!!! Thanks to HABU and the guys for a great 2011!! Got my shirt, my coin and my pic with my 3 year old!!! Eat that Washington! -Jim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfgun33 Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 The A-10 is a beautiful aircraft. How can you not love this face? I'm sorry to all the pointy jet guys but this is the baddest gound pounder out there. I've always loved this aircraft. Trust me, I was laying on the ground at our recent airshow taking pics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Modelmkr Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 There are in fact special paints which can be used to paint antennae, which are sometimes referred to as dielectric paints but as far as I'm aware the US typically does not use them, preferring coloured but unpainted coverings. The radome or dielectric paints are typically a 2-part epoxy paint (can be made in any colour). It's what is specified for use on all radomes and antennas that I am responsible for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sarathi S. Posted December 15, 2011 Share Posted December 15, 2011 The A-10 is a beautiful aircraft. How can you not love this face? It's like a puppy! One that will eat you alive with a smile on its face! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.