HIGH-TECH GUNS FOR THE JSF
Carlton Meyer
Our military is spending billions of dollars to develop the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). One revolutionary addition could be a chin-mounted gun on a turret. Today's aircraft continue to use the World War I concept of fixed-machine guns which require the pilot to maneuver an aircraft to aim the gun. However, if he had a helmet targeting system which aims a gun on a turret, he could employ the gun far more effectively.
In an air-to-air duel, he would not need to make tight turns to line up his gun, he could just look and shoot. During a ground attack, he could put several rounds on a target instead of hoping that a couple rounds find their mark during a strafing run.
These guns and helmets have already been proven with a 30mm on Apaches and a 20mm on the Cobra helicopters. Since jets fly faster, aerodynamics are an issue. Perhaps the gun could pop down from the fuselage when needed, or enclosed in a aerodynamic pod.
A similar innovation would involve being able to face rearward or have a seperate tail gun with an automatic infra-red targeting system. If a "bogey" gets on the tail of a JSF, the pilot could switch on the tail gun while taking evasive maneuvers. Even if the tail gun fails to hit the bogey, the sight of tracers flying by would discourage pursuit. In addition, the tracer rounds may confuse infra-red missiles and cause radar clutter.
Since the bullets will trail out behind a fast moving jet, they do not need to be fired from a high powered cannon. Something like the current Mk-19 automatic grenade launcher, which spews out 350 40mm rounds a minute, might do the job. These grenade rounds exploding in the path of a pursuing bogey may be more effective. Tail guns would also prove effective in the suppression of enemy air defense. After an aircraft drops its bomb load and pulls away, an infra-red seeking tail gun could engage hot spots below, like AAA guns, missiles, and vehicles.
21st Century Weapons
E-mail May 1998
