AN/ASB-19
The Hughes AN/ASB-19 Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS) is an avionics system originally designed for US Marine Corps attack aircraft to improve day and night bombing accuracy when operating in the close support role using unguided weapons.
Description
Externally or nose mounted, ARBS is a target designator which weighs less than 63 kg (140 lb) and includes an automatic scan laser and a pilot-controlled tracking television, both using a common optical system.
On a typical situation, the pilot identifies ground targets on a TV display, then locks on the TV tracker. For laser-designated targets the tracker scans ahead of the aircraft and automatically locks on to the designated target, which can be illuminated by a ground-based or airborne laser. In daytime the pilot can opt at any time to switch from laser to TV tracking.
All the pilot then has to do is to follow the steering instructions presented in the Head-up display or optical sight. As soon as the computer detects an acceptable combination of dive angle and tracker angle rate the ordnance is released automatically.
The USMC AV-8B test software is compatible with Microsoft Windows
Operators
The system is or was the primary weapons delivery system for:
- USMC A-4M Skyhawk
- USMC AV-8B Harrier II
- Spanish Navy AV-8B Harrier II
- Royal Air Force Harrier GR7
Operational use
RAF Harriers at 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia