Looking for info on A-6 DIANE system.

[KJakker]

I was watching Flight of the Intruder again and got an itch to learn how the fire control system on the aircraft worked. Anyone have a books or manuals on the A-6's Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment (DIANE) system?

[+GKABS]

One of my favorite movies

[+GKABS]

I compiled this using artificial intelligence i hope it will help you.

Document: The A-6 Intruder and the DIANE Avionics System

A Complete Technical and Operational Profile

---

1. Introduction & Historical Significance

The Grumman A-6 Intruder, a carrier-based attack aircraft, revolutionized naval strike warfare through its unparalleled all-weather, day-and-night capability. This capability was made possible not by its airframe alone, but by its groundbreaking integrated avionics suite: the Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment (DIANE). Developed in the late 1950s and entering service in 1963, DIANE allowed a two-person crew to navigate precisely, find targets, and deliver ordnance with accuracy without ever needing visual contact—a first for a tactical jet. This document provides a consolidated overview of the DIANE system, its cockpit integration, operational history, and evolution.

2. The DIANE System: Core Concept and Purpose

DIANE was not a single "black box" but an integrated system of sensors, analog/digital computers, and specialized displays. Its primary purpose was to synthesize data from multiple sources to create a coherent, actionable picture of the world for the crew, enabling:

· All-Weather Navigation: Precise flight over land and water in any visibility.

· Blind Attack: Accurate delivery of weapons against fixed or moving targets without a visual sight picture.

· Low-Level Penetration: Safe, terrain-following flight at very low altitudes to avoid enemy radar.

3. Technical Components and Subsystems

DIANE’s functionality stemmed from the integration of several key subsystems:

· Sensor Suite:

  · Radars: The initial A-6A configuration featured two main radars: the AN/APQ-92 search radar for terrain mapping and target acquisition, and the AN/APQ-112 tracking radar for precise target lock-on. A separate terrain-following radar provided automatic low-altitude flight control.

  · Navigation Systems: An AN/ASN-31 inertial navigation system (INS) was core, updated in flight by an AN/APN-122 Doppler radar and other radio aids, providing continuous positional data.

· Computational Core:

  · AN/ASQ-61 Ballistics Computer: The system's analog "brain." This rotating-drum computer continuously integrated data from the radars, INS, air data computer, and weapon parameters to solve the complex ballistic equations for accurate bombing.

· Crew Display Interfaces:

  · Vertical Display Indicator (VDI): The pilot's primary instrument. This unique display presented a synthetic "highway in the sky" with steering cues, allowing the pilot to fly the entire attack profile head-down.

  · Radar Displays & Consoles: Used by the Bombardier/Navigator (B/N) to interpret sensor returns, identify and lock targets, and manage the entire attack sequence.

4. Cockpit Integration and Crew Workflow

The A-6's wide nose and side-by-side seating were direct results of DIANE, facilitating the intense, non-verbal cooperation required to operate it.

Cockpit Station Breakdown

Crew Member Primary Seat & Interfaces Key Responsibilities with DIANE

Pilot Left Seat. Primary: Vertical Display Indicator (VDI), control stick, throttles. Secondary: Horizontal Situation Indicator, radar altimeter, terrain-following cues. Fly the aircraft by precisely following the steering cues on the VDI. Manage terrain-following radar modes for low-altitude ingress/egress. Execute weapon release on command.

Bombardier/Navigator (B/N) Right Seat. Primary: Radar display consoles, AN/ASQ-61 computer control panels, navigation system interfaces. Operate all sensors (radar, navigation). Plan the route, identify and lock the target using radar. Manage the ballistic computer and feed continuous steering commands to the pilot's VDI. Call for weapon release.

Standard Attack Sequence (DIANE Workflow):

1. Ingress: The B/N navigates using DIANE's combined radar and INS data, often guiding the pilot at low level using terrain-following radar.

2. Target Acquisition: The B/N uses the search radar to find the target area, then switches to the high-resolution track radar to achieve a precise lock.

3. Automated Attack Run: With the target locked, the AN/ASQ-61 computer automatically calculates the release point. Steering commands appear on the pilot's VDI. The pilot's sole task is to "fly the dots," perfectly aligning the aircraft with the computed solution.

4. Release & Egress: The B/N monitors the solution and commands release. The pilot releases weapons and immediately maneuvers for egress, often guided back to low altitude by the B/N using the terrain-following radar.

5. Operational History, Evolution, and Legacy

· Combat Debut (Vietnam): The A-6 with DIANE proved invaluable in Vietnam, where monsoon weather frequently grounded other aircraft. It could conduct single-plane night strikes with devastating effect, earning a fearsome reputation. Its accuracy was such that other strike aircraft would sometimes formate on an A-6 and release their ordnance on the Intruder crew's command.

· Technological Evolution:

  · A-6E Intruder: The definitive model introduced a consolidated AN/APQ-148 multi-mode radar and a more reliable digital computer (AN/ASQ-133), streamlining the original DIANE architecture.

  · Target Recognition and Attack Multi-Sensor (TRAM): A major upgrade adding a gyrostabilized turret under the nose containing a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor and a laser designator. This allowed the A-6E to autonomously find targets in darkness and designate for laser-guided bombs.

· Peak Performance & Retirement: TRAM-equipped A-6Es were the U.S. Navy's premier all-weather precision bombers in the 1990s, executing 85% of the Navy's laser-guided bomb strikes during Operation Desert Storm. The A-6 was retired in 1997, its deep-strike mission legacy carried on by the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

6. Resources for Diagrams and Further Research

Detailed technical schematics of DIANE are found in specialized sources, not general websites.

· For Cockpit Diagrams & Technical Manuals:

  · Official Manuals: NAVAIR 01-85AAA-1 (A-6E Flight Manual). Search for this designation on archival sites like Avialogs.com.

  · Specialized Books: Grumman A-6 Intruder (WarbirdTech Series, Vol. 14) or Intruder: The Operational History of Grumman's A-6 offer detailed photos, cockpit layouts, and system diagrams.

· For Historical & Technical Overviews:

  · Air Vectors - A-6 Intruder: An exceptionally detailed online reference. http://www.airvectors.net/ava6.html

  · National Naval Aviation Museum: Hosts A-6 exhibits and historical summaries. https://www.navalaviationmuseum.org

[ragnarokryan]

Here is an A-6E NATOPS manual, attached below. Chapter 8 has some DIANE stuff. Sorry for the large file size. I don't know where I got this from and I don't know how to compress it.

Next, check out this site:

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/375992-a-6-intruder-manuals-request/

There are links to a Discord and a google doc which shows manuals the group already has. If you get some, could you share them here? My best friend's father flew A-6s and I always loved that airplane. It would great to have more reference material.

NAVAIR 01-85ADF-1 - NATOPS Flight Manual - A-6E.pdf

Edited 5 hours ago by ragnarokryan
Grammar