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Lightning Air Data Computer

Technical Information

Catalogue No: C0283
Category: Air Data
Object Type: Signal/Data Processor
Object Name: Lightning Air Data Computer
Part No: 3D5606/1
Serial No: 088/62
Manufacturer: Elliott Bros (London) Ltd
Division: Unknown
Platform(s): Lightning
Year of Manufacture: 1962
Dimensions: Width (mm): 258
Height (mm): 142
Depth (mm): 352
Weight (g): 8,140
Location: Rack RAA10 [Main Store]
Inscription(s):

Elliott
ADC Mk 1A Type B
Type No. 3D5606/1
Ser. No. 088/62
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ADS No. 6, 16, 20, 29, 33, 41, 42, 43, 59, 62, 65, 70, 79, 5, 95, 100, 111, 129, 168.

Notes:

The Lightning was the RAF’s first fighter capable of achieving Mach 2 in level flight but also the first designed as an integrated weapon system. The first prototype flew in August 1954. Elliott’s designed a wide range of equipment for the Lightning.

The Air Data Computer computations are done with mechanical gears and cams which translate the sensor inputs into analogue output signals.

The inputs sensed are ratio of static to dynamic pressure and static pressure, angle of attack. The function of the computer is to form a central source of indicated airspeed, true airspeed, height, Mach number and related signals required for flight instruments, autopilots, navigation, weapon aiming and similar systems.

A Rosemount Total Air Temperature (TAT) sensor was added in the late 70's/early 80's and was only connected to the cockpit indicator to inform the aircrew about TAT with respect to airframe and equipment limitations. The sensor was not connected to the Air Data Computer.

This unit was made in 1962 and is from the Lightning ZF581 which stood as a ‘Gate Guardian’ at Rochester for many years. Without the covers the complexity of the analogue electro-mechanical design with its four large electrical (Plessey type) connections on front panel can be seen in this early example of an Air Data Computer. Six of the related Transistor Amplifier Modules can be seen along one side of the unit.

Air data systems provide accurate information on quantities such as pressure altitude, vertical speed, calibrated airspeed, true airspeed, Mach number, static air temperature and air density ratio. This information is essential for the pilot to fly the aircraft safely and is also required by a number of key avionic subsystems which enable the pilot to carry out the mission. It is thus one of the key avionic systems in its own right and forms part of the essential core of avionic sub systems required in all modern aircraft, civil or military.

The air data quantities; pressure, altitude, vertical speed, calibrated airspeed, true airspeed, Mach number etc. are derived from three basic measurements by sensors connected to probes which measure:

Total (or Pitot) pressure
Static pressure
Total (or indicated) air temperature

The total pressure, PT, is measured by means of an absolute pressure sensor (or transducer) connected to a Pitot tube facing the moving airstream. The Pitot pressure is a measure of ram air pressure (the air pressure created by vehicle motion or the air ramming into the tube). When airspeed increases, the ram air pressure is increased, which can be translated by the airspeed indicator.

The static pressure of the free airstream, PS, is measured by an absolute pressure transducer connected to a suitable orifice located where the surface pressure is nearly the same as the pressure of the surrounding atmosphere. The static pressure is obtained through a static port which most often is a flush-mounted hole on the fuselage of an aircraft located where it can access the air flow in a relatively undisturbed area. Some aircraft may have a single static port, while others may have more than one. When the aircraft climbs, static pressure will decrease.

High performance military aircraft generally have a combined Pitot/static probe which extends out in front of the aircraft so as to be as far away as practicable from aerodynamic interference effects and shock waves generated by the aircraft structure. A Pitot-static tube effectively integrates the static ports into the Pitot probe. It incorporates a second coaxial tube (or tubes) with pressure sampling holes on the sides of the probe, outside the direct airflow, to measure the static pressure. Some civil transport aircraft have Pitot probes with separate static pressure orifices located in the fuselage generally somewhere between the nose and the wing.

From the measurements of static pressure PT and total pressure PS it is possible to derive the Pressure Altitude, Vertical Speed, Calibrated Airspeed and Mach number. Measurement of the air temperature is made by means of a temperature sensor installed in a probe in the airstream and from this a function called Total Air Temperature can be calculated.

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