尖端科技軍事雜誌社

  在當今的爭強鬥勝的電磁頻譜（EMS）領域，先進威脅的演化速度越來越快，在近來發表的《電磁優勢戰略，Electromagnetic Superiority Strategy document》裡也證明了這個論點。美國國防部在該文件警告，為了保持能夠因應演化中的威脅，EMS系統必須能夠進行快速的軟體和硬體升級。這一點在台灣海峽和世界其他地方都是同樣成立的。當台灣的空中武力，在中華民國空軍（ROCAF）為其F-16 BLK20戰機尋求電子戰能力升級時，雷神情報與太空（Raytheon Intelligence & Space）部門的AN/ALQ-184 電子戰莢艙數位化提升方案提供了電戰系統提升的解決方案，而且能以快速、低風險、成本效益高的方式完成。

  AN/ALQ-184是我國F-16 BLK 20戰機唯一的干擾莢艙，已對中華民國空軍展現了數十年成功的表現。藉著升級現有的82個該型號莢艙，中華民國空軍擁有的解決方案不僅是將AN/ALQ-184進入數位時代，有效面對現有的先進威脅源，也是以減少全面成本、降低風險而且縮短系統部署時間的方式來達成。購置全新的電戰莢艙將會要求新的支援裝備、飛行員訓練和系統引進，而且最終將會反映出更昂貴而且更長的部署時間。中華民國空軍急需這些能力，雷神情報與太空部門已準備好的解決方案，已經過最優化足可滿足現代作戰需求。

已被證明有效的裝備具有現代化的能力

  雷神情報與太空部門前已完成數位化射頻記憶子系統（Digital Radio Frequency Memory subsystem）和莢艙整合測試，現於2021年2月份陸續完成了數位化升級AN/ALQ-184莢艙的性能評估。專門為F-16設計的ALQ-184性能升級，添加了數位射頻記憶能力以提高該莢艙對抗現代化先進威脅的能力。數位化升級讓硬體和軟體的改良得以推進，這是趕上那些持續演化的威脅的關鍵。

  升級的部分和不變的部分同樣重要。ALQ-184已被證實的空氣動力特性將保持不變，而且升級的技術路線也維持了ALQ-184的優點，高效輻射功率  （Effective Radiated Power，ERP），賦予飛行員在遠距離發射高效能功率的能力。還有，雷神情報與太空部門已證明自己是數位化電戰解決方案的領導者，包括和中華民國空軍F-16上電戰和雷達子系統的射頻相容性與整合性。

來自可信賴夥伴的低風險解決方案

  藉著整合已完成測試之數位技術與ALQ-184莢艙，中華民國空軍所面臨的風險將遠低於購置新的未經考驗的系統。簡單的套件可以被整合到中華民國空軍現有的ALQ-184莢艙，不需要全新的系統、基礎支援設施和新的後續維持體系。而且，不必重新訓練飛行員或者維護人員。同時，雷神情報與太空公司的升級套件可以完全在台灣安裝和測試。

  雷神情報與太空部門長期以來透過維修、後續支援和性能提升等方式來支援ALQ-184，包括使用類似的數位化升級取代老式的低頻段，而且全部在台灣完成安裝。雷神公司也已展現履行承諾以工程支援和系統全壽期來支援ALQ-184數位化升級專案。

  為了因應今天的和未來的EMS先進威脅，中華民國空軍似應寄望有根基的夥伴，採用成本效益高而且證實有效的電戰解決方案。ALQ-184數位化升級就是那個現成的而且成本效益高的方案。憑藉此一方案，中華民國空軍能夠解決在F-16 BLK 20上提升先進電戰能力的長期問題。

  雷神情報與太空部門已生產數百個ALQ-184莢艙，包括中華民國空軍的82個莢艙，而且預期後續支援將持續提供到可預見的未來，飛行員們熟悉此一系統，而且憑著新增的能力，飛行員們在可預見的未來，也可以繼續依靠它們完成任務並安全回家。

A proven EW solution for Taiwan’s F-16s gets a digital upgrade

In today’s contested electromagnetic spectrum, or EMS, advanced threats are evolving faster than ever. This is made clear in a recent Electromagnetic Superiority Strategy document, where the U.S. Department of Defense warned that to remain relevant against evolving threats, EMS systems must be capable of rapid software and hardware upgrades. This is as true in the Taiwan Strait as it is around the world. As Taiwan’s Air Force, or ROCAF, seeks to upgrade the electronic warfare capabilities of its F-16 Block 20 fleet, Raytheon Intelligence & Space’s capability enhancement for the AN/ALQ-184 EW pod provides a case study in keeping a system relevant and, doing so in a fast, low-risk and cost-effective way.

The ALQ-184 has provided the ROCAF with decades of successful performance as the sole jamming pod on the F-16 block 20. By upgrading the existing 82 pods, the ROCAF has a solution that not only brings the proven ALQ-184 into the digital age, ready to meet today’s advanced threats, but does so in a way that reduces the overall cost, lowers risk and shortens the timeline of system deployment. Buying a completely new EW system would require new support equipment, pilot training and system introduction, and would ultimately be more costly and time-consuming. The ROCAF has an urgent need for these capabilities and RI&S’ solution is optimized to meet modern demands and is ready now.

Modern capabilities in a proven package

In February, Raytheon Intelligence & Space completed a capability assessment of the ALQ-184 pod with the digital upgrade. This follows prior testing of the Digital Radio Frequency Memory subsystem testing and pod integration. The ALQ-184 enhancement, designed specifically for the F-16, adds a digital RF memory capability to increase the pod’s performance against modern, advanced threats. The digital upgrade enables hardware and software improvements going forward, key to keeping pace with jamming threats as they continue to evolve.

The upgrades are as important as what remains the same. The ALQ-184’s proven aerodynamic characteristics remains intact and the upgrade approach also maintains the high ERP, or Effective Radiated Power, benefits of the ALQ-184, giving pilots the ability to transmit high levels of power over long distances. Additionally, RI&S have proven themselves leaders in digital EW solutions, including RF compatibility and integration with a full range of ROCAF F-16 EW and radar sub-systems.

A low-risk solution from a trusted partner

By combining a tested digital techniques generator with the proven ALQ-184 pod, the risk to the ROCAF is very low when compared to buying a new and untested system. A simple mod kit can be incorporated to the existing ROCAF ALQ-184 pods, alleviating the need for a completely new system, support infrastructure and sustainment pipeline. Also, there is no need to retrain pilots or maintainers. RI&S’ upgrade kits are designed to be installed and tested in Taiwan.

RI&S has long supported the ALQ-184 through maintenance, sustainment and past upgrades, including a similar upgrade which replaced the legacy low-band section with a digital upgrade, with all installations completed in Taiwan. The company has expressed their commitment to supporting the ALQ-184 Digital Upgrade program with engineering support, and sustainment activities for the life of the system.

To meet today and tomorrow’s advanced threats in the EMS, the ROCAF should look to cost-effective and proven EW solutions from established partners. The ALQ-184 Digital Upgrade is that readily available and cost-effective solution. With it, the ROCAF can solve the long-term problem of adding advanced ECM capabilities on the F-16 BLK 20.

RI&S has produced hundreds of ALQ-184 pods, including the ROCAF’s 82 systems, and sustainment is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Pilots are familiar with the system and, with added capabilities, they can also continue to rely on them to complete their mission and come home safely for the foreseeable future.