AN/ASQ-133

AN/ASQ-133. The AN/ASQ-133 is a digital avionics computer system developed for the United States Air Force to modernize the navigation and weapon delivery capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber. It replaced older analog systems, providing enhanced accuracy for nuclear weapon delivery during the Cold War. The system integrated with other sensors and subsystems to form a critical component of the Strategic Air Command's long-range strike posture.

Overview

The AN/ASQ-133 served as the central computing element for the B-52's Offensive Avionics System (OAS), a major upgrade program initiated in the 1970s. Its primary role was to process data from the aircraft's inertial navigation system and other sources to compute precise bombing solutions. This digital system represented a significant technological leap over the previous AN/ASQ-38 bombing-navigation system, improving reliability and mission flexibility. Integration with the AN/ASQ-176 attack radar and other OAS components was essential for its function.

Development and Design

Development of the AN/ASQ-133 was led by IBM under contract from the United States Department of Defense to address the aging avionics on the B-52G and B-52H models. The design centered on a militarized, high-reliability digital computer capable of operating in the harsh environment of a strategic bomber. Engineers faced challenges in packaging, cooling, and ensuring electromagnetic compatibility within the crowded airframe of the B-52 Stratofortress. The system's architecture allowed for interfacing with the MIL-STD-1553 data bus, a then-emerging standard for military aircraft.

Operational History

Entering service in the late 1970s, the AN/ASQ-133 became operational with Strategic Air Command wings, significantly enhancing the B-52's capability to execute its nuclear deterrence mission. During the Cold War, bombers equipped with this system were on constant alert, ready to respond to directives from the National Command Authority. The system saw extensive use in training exercises and was a key component during operations like Global Shield. Its reliability contributed to the B-52's longevity, with the system remaining in use through subsequent upgrade programs like the Conventional Enhancement Modification.

Technical Specifications

The AN/ASQ-133 was a solid-state digital computer with core memory, designed to meet rigorous MIL-SPEC environmental standards for temperature, vibration, and shock. It featured multiple input/output channels to interface with the AN/ASQ-176 attack radar, the AN/ASN-136 inertial navigation system, and various cockpit displays. The computer executed specialized software for navigation, weapon release calculations, and system diagnostics. Its processing power, though modest by later standards, was sufficient for the complex ballistic calculations required for accurate delivery of weapons like the B61 nuclear bomb and B83 nuclear bomb.

Variants

The primary variant was the baseline AN/ASQ-133 system installed during the OAS upgrade. Subsequent evolutionary improvements were often implemented through software updates rather than new hardware designations. However, the overall OAS suite, of which the computer was a part, underwent modifications that influenced its operation. Later modernization efforts, such as the integration of GPS receivers and new weapons like the AGM-86 ALCM, required modifications to the AN/ASQ-133's interfaces and software, though the core computer hardware often remained.

Category:Avionics Category:United States Air Force avionics Category:B-52 Stratofortress