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 TQS 20.02.2010  

Throttle Quadrant System

The throttle quadrant system (TQS) has besides the throttle itself the friction control and the throttle guide rail. The TQS is located at the left side of the cockpit on the left console. Together with the SSC (=Side Stick Controller) the HOTAS system (Hands on Throttle and Stick) is conformed. This system allows the pilot to handle his plane during critical fight conditions, without taking the hands away from throttle and flight stick.

The Throttle Quadrant with his functions
Plans from the Throttle Quadrant System
Pictures from the Throttle Quadrant System


The Throttle Quadrant with his functions

Throttle Quadrant

Control Function
Dogfight/Missile
Override Switch
This switch is a three-position switch that overrides any mode except emergency jettison. The DOGFIGHT (outboard) position provides cues and solutions on the HUD for both 20mm gun firing and air-to-air missile delivery. The missile override (unlabeled) position provides only cues for air-to-air missile firing. When DOGFIGHT or missile override is selected, request for master mode changes via the ICP switches will be ignored. Any air-to-air radar mode and any type of air-to-air missile can be programmed for these switch posi-tions. If the switch is in the center position, the last selected master mode is returned.
Manual Range/
Uncage Switch
Use of the MAN RNG/UNCAGE control is mode dependent and serves several purposes. MAN RNG/UNCAGE is actually a combination of two seperate control types. The UNCAGE switch is activated by depressing and releasing the MAN RNG knob.

When in air-to-air gun modes and radar ranging is not available, the MAN RNG knob is used to select one of two manual ranges. Manual range is set to 1500 feet if the knob is rotated clockwise of center and 700 feet if the knob is rotated counter-clockwise of center. The se-lected value is displayed digitally on the HUD. The target is at the selected range when (1) the correct wingspan has been entered via the DED and (2) the pilot closes until the wings of the target just fill the inside of the manual ranging reticle if using LCOS, or just fit inside the funnel when using EEGS.

The control is also used in air-to-ground, ground map modes to vary the radar gain. Rotating the knob clockwise increases the radar gain. The gain effect of the knob is to add or subtract from the base value set by the gain rocker switch on the MFD. In GMT and DBS modes, moving the knob fully clockwise results in 100 percent gain regardless of the rocker switch setting. In GMT, this knob controls gain of moving target radar returns.

The UNCAGE switch is used to cage/uncage missiles, remove the AGM-65 dome cover, and provide AGM-65 weapon video.
Antenna
Elevation
The ANT ELEV knob is used to manually set the radar antenna elevation angle. Rotating the knob counter-clockwise (backward) from it's mechanically detented center causes the an-tenna scan center to move upward in elevation to a maximum of +60 degrees. Rotating the knob clockwise causes downward scan center movement to a maximum of -60 degrees.

In the ground map type radar modes, the antenna is positioned in elevation by the FCC using INS elevation data inputs. This value, however, is manually adjustable around the computed value via the ANT ELEV knob as previously described. The ANT ELEV knob may also be used to position the antenna elevation in air-to-air search modes, including SAM. The knob has no effect while the radar is in STT, FTT, GMTT, MTT (with a priority target), ACM or AGR modes.
Cursor Enable
and Control
The CURSOR/ENABLE control is a three-axis (X-Y-Z) switch. The CURSOR (X-Y) axis per-mits slewing of radar cursors. To slew the cursor, the switch is tilted in the desired direction. For EO weapon video, the cursor is fixed in the center of the MFD and the video scene moves.

The ENABLE (Z) axis is used for similar functions depending on the mode. Depressing the CURSOR/ENABLE switch with an AIM-9L/M, AIM-120, or AGM-65 selected changes the BORE/SLAVE option. For AIM-9L/M and AIM-120, the BORE/SLAVE option is changed only as long as the switch is held depressed. For the AGM-65, a permanent change of BORE/SLAVE occurs when depressed. Pressing the cursor enable button when an AGM-65 is selected cycles between PRE/VIS/BORE modes.
Speed Brake In the forward position, the Speed Brake goes in zero position. In the afterward position, the Speed Brake goes in full position.
Communications Switch VHF Transmits over VHF while held
UHF Transmits over UHF while held
IFF OUT When held for less than 1 second, toggles between showing/hiding datalink symbology from the HSD/radar. When held for greater than 1 second, commands an air-to-air datalink round.
IFF IN Transmits the location of the air-to-ground radar cursors or the currently selected steerpoint over datalink
Black-Out
Switch
Turn non-NVIS (Night Vision Imaging System) cockpit lighting on and off when in NVIS mode.


Plans from the Throttle Quadrant System

Throttle Guide Rail (current)

Throttle Guide Rail (old)

Throttle Quadrant System


Pictures from the Throttle Quadrant System


F-16A

F-16C

MLU

F-16C

F-16C

F-16C

F-16C

F-16C

F-16A

Connector

Connector


Cutoff Release

Cutoff Release

Lighting

Throttle Arm

Throttle Arm

Mounting Box

Friction Control

Friction Control

Throttle Balg

Note:
To zoom please select the picture with your mouse.

Source:
Picture No. 4, 5 and 6 was provided by Kostas Kefalas.

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