EAS 3602: AVIONICS

Introduction to Avionics

The science and technology of electronics and the development of electronic devices as applied to aeronautics and astronautics: Avionics has become even more important with the development of the space program.

In the aviation and aerospace fields, all modern aircraft and space vehicles are largely dependent upon electronics and electricity for communication, navigation and control.

Avionics = AVIation electrONICS

Represents ~50% of the cost of an airborne military platform

Essential for:

1. Manned aircraft 2. Uninhabited aircraft (UAV) 3. Missiles 4. Other weapon systems

Short history of avionics

1910s – first experiments with radio and autopilot

1930s – first electronic aides such as:

“blind-flying” panels

radio ranging

non-directional beacons

Ground-based surveillance radar

Single-axis autopilot

1940s : many WWII related developments:

VHF communications

Identification friend or foe (IFF)

Gyroscopic compass

Attitude and heading reference systems

Airborne intercept radar

Electronic warfare

Long-range precision radio navigation

2-axis autopilot

1950 :

Tactical air navigation (TACAN)

Tracking radar

Doppler radar

Pulse radar

Early mission computers

Inertial navigation

1960 :

Integrated electronic warfare systems

Automated weapon release systems

Terrain following radar

Head-up-display (HUD)

Digital mission computers