>> Narrator: The Northrop Grumman F-35 electro-optical distributed aperture system

The cornerstone of a fifth generation fighter capability

Provides missile detection and tracking

Launch point detection

Situational awareness IRST and cueing

Weapons support

and Day-night navigation

[Computer sounds]

The revolutionary AN/AAQ-37

electro-optical distributed aperture system

or DAS

is composed of six infrared sensors

situated around the aircraft

The advanced IR sensors provide

long-range detections

and near 20/20 visual acuity

Day or night

The result is spherical sensor coverage

around the aircraft

The six sensors have an extremely fast update rate

and are digitally fused to virtually eliminate seams

and perform multiple functions

in every direction

at all times

[music]

Surface-to-air missiles can no longer hide

The DAS instantaneously detects SAM and MANPAD launchers

Predicts the missile's target

Alerts the pilot

And allows time for a choice of countermeasures

With DAS, a counterattack is possible well before the target can hide

[explosion]

Triple A, artillery, and tactical ballistic missiles can also be detected

Integrating this into the mission computer

will enable the EOTS and AESA radar to image and ID the target

Allowing an immediate counterattack to a hostile act

[music]

[explosion]

[music]

Situational awareness IRST is also a key function of the DAS

DAS detects and tracks incoming aircraft from any angle,

reducing the potential for mid-air collision

[Jet sounds]

Even with a tactical radar warning receiver,

pilots can still be surprised during non-radar or visual intercepts.

The DAS detects and tracks threats

360 degrees around the aircraft,

virtually eliminating surprises.

With DAS and a high, off-boresite weapon,

the F-35 can actually have a kinematic advantage

over a pursuing aircraft.

The enemy can either break off the attack,

try to defeat the inbound missile

or suffer the consequences.

DAS maintains continuous track and identity of wingmen

and other in-range aircraft

During close-in engagements, automatic identification systems

are practically useless

and identities of similar-looking aircraft are easily confused.

DAS sensors allow for instant tracking and ID correlation

even in dynamic in-combat manuevering

With DAS, aircraft IDs are maintained, despite similar aircraft appearance

or loss of visual contact by a pilot

[music]

In the age of high, off-boresite weapons and highly manueverable aircraft,

hesitation means defeat

and turning at the merge can lead to disaster.

[jet sounds]

[music]

[missile fired]

[explosions]

[jet sounds]

>> With DAS, instead of engaging in a classic dogfight

The F-35 has the option to simply to exit the dogfight

[missile fired]

and lets its missiles do the turning

[jet sounds]

[explosions]

[music]

For navigation function, DAS imagery replaces

bulky night-vision goggles, or NVGs, and provides

better overall visual acuity

DAS video imagery is projected directly onto

the pilot's helmet visor

is independent of cockpit lighting and

protects pilots against blinding laser devices.

Side-by-side video of daytime and night carrier approaches

Shows that even waves are visible with the DAS.

Landings in foggy and dusty conditions are also possible with DAS.

DAS imagery is unaffected by cockpit illumination and urban lighting.

Nighttime imagery of the city has clarity unimaginable using NVGs.

And when integrated into the mission computer,

DAS can provide optical visuals of multiple moving targets

in every direction, simultaneously.

DAS provides day and night vision spherically around the aircraft.

A pilot may have good eyes, but he can't see through the floor.

Unless he has DAS.

[music]

The revolutionary, multifunction distributed aperture system

for missile defense,

ground targeting,

air combat

and visual modes.

The electro-optical distributed aperture system provides

fifth generation lethality and survivability,

Seeing everything, everywhere, all the time.