Blackburn Buccaneer Avionics

[overscan (PaulMM)]

http://www.blackburn-buccaneer.co.uk/0_Contents.html

Detailed avionics info here.

 

[Weaver]

Now here's a puzzle. Looking at that site, and several other sources, it's clear that an operational Buccaneer had a single radar dish, for Blue Parrot, in it's radome. However, I've got a copy of "Buccaneer" by Maurice Allward (Ian Allen Modern Combat Aircraft 7, pub.1981), which contains a photograph of a Buccaneer mock-up with a different system.

The photo appear to show a two-aerial system, with a small, oval aerial at the top and a cut parabaloid dish below, the overall impression being of an attack + TFR setup like the Tornado! The caption claims that the photo dates from 1955, and I see no reason to doubt that, since it has the small (Gyron Junior) intakes of the S Mk.1. However, although the caption mentions the (abandoned) retractable IFR probe, neither it nor the text make any reference to an alternative radar fit being considered.

Here's the photo:

 

[zen]

It could be the B108, in which case the smaller set is indeed a TFR unit, and the larger dish is the search unit.

Using improved Gyron Juniors, with cooled blades.

 

[yellowaster]

The twin-scanner mockup-up sounds like it could be ASV-21A/Radar Ranging Mk.4. That was the original radar fit proposed for the Buccaneer. Any chance of re-posting the pic ?

thanks,

YA

 

[JFC Fuller]

Just scanning through this thread raises two questions:

1) What was the B.108 variant and is there any further information out there?

2) And what was the ASV-21A/Radar Ranging Mk.4 radar fit? How (assuming it worked as planned) would it have compared to the Blue Parrot and why was it abandoned?

Thank you in advance sealordlawrence.

 

[yellowaster]

Originally the primary armament of the Buccaneer was the active Green Cheese ASGW, so there was no requirement for anything fancy in the radar dept: just ASV search and (I assume) spot range. When Green Cheese got canned, primary armament became Red Beard via LABS: that needed lock-follow to provide the necessary aiming data. Hence Blue Parrot.

 

[Weaver]

The twin-scanner mockup-up sounds like it could be ASV-21A/Radar Ranging Mk.4. That was the original radar fit proposed for the Buccaneer. Any chance of re-posting the pic ?

thanks,

YA

Sorry, not been on here for ages: picture re-posted.

 

[yellowaster]

Weaver - thanks.

The pic is a bit small but I'd say the big dish is ASV-21

Dave

 

[zen]

Interesting little piece, if true on Blue Parrot.

http://www.apss.org.uk/projects/APSS_projects/radar/Ferranti%20Radar%20Collection/Blue%20Parrot/Ferranti%20and%20the%20Buccaneer%20S1%20Weapon%20Delivery%20System.pdf

 

[DamienB]

Now here's a puzzle. Looking at that site, and several other sources, it's clear that an operational Buccaneer had a single radar dish, for Blue Parrot, in it's radome. However, I've got a copy of "Buccaneer" by Maurice Allward (Ian Allen Modern Combat Aircraft 7, pub.1981), which contains a photograph of a Buccaneer mock-up with a different system.

The photo appear to show a two-aerial system, with a small, oval aerial at the top and a cut parabaloid dish below, the overall impression being of an attack + TFR setup like the Tornado! The caption claims that the photo dates from 1955, and I see no reason to doubt that, since it has the small (Gyron Junior) intakes of the S Mk.1. However, although the caption mentions the (abandoned) retractable IFR probe, neither it nor the text make any reference to an alternative radar fit being considered.

Here's the photo:

Bit of a thread revival this, but this is simply how the Buccaneer (or B.103 as it was initially) was originally envisaged, with a 12" radar ranging dish in the radome tip, and a much larger A.S.V.21 air-surface vessel radar scanner occupying the rest of the radome.

 

[yahya]

Dear Colleagues, can you confirm if such an upgrade was indeed implemented on Buccaneers (from this source)?

Quotation: "An avionics update package (AUP) was implemented on 42 Buccaneers to be equipped with the Sea Eagle. The AUP included the Ferranti FIN 1063 nav-attack system, similar to that used on the SEPECAT Jaguar strike fighter; a Plessey ASR 889 radio; a Marconi Sky Guardian 200 digital RWR, which could not only detect and locate threats but characterize them as well, though ironically it resulted in the reinstatement of the original wing leading-edge bullet fairings; minor cockpit changes; and support for the AIM-9G and AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles."

 

[timmymagic]

Dear Colleagues, can you confirm if such an upgrade was indeed implemented on Buccaneers (from this source)?

Quotation: "An avionics update package (AUP) was implemented on 42 Buccaneers to be equipped with the Sea Eagle. The AUP included the Ferranti FIN 1063 nav-attack system, similar to that used on the SEPECAT Jaguar strike fighter; a Plessey ASR 889 radio; a Marconi Sky Guardian 200 digital RWR, which could not only detect and locate threats but characterize them as well, though ironically it resulted in the reinstatement of the original wing leading-edge bullet fairings; minor cockpit changes; and support for the AIM-9G and AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles."

Yes that upgrade went ahead, starting in 1987. There was also upgrades to the Westinghouse jamming pod.

 

[yahya]

Thank you timmymagic for the information. There was also a discussion in the source quoted above that on the eve of the Gulf War 12 Buccaneers were fitted with "secure radios" and new IFFs. Are the types of these devices known? My guess is that the Plessey ASR 889 comm previously used was insecure.