Steve,
The reasons URITS was not chosen are:
a. It wasn't offered because it did not exist at the time.
b. It uses a data-link protocol that is incompatable with the other Euro-NATO RAIDS.
The European data-link protocol, USAFE included, should all be compatable as agreed at the NATO ACMI WG. Unfortunately, USAFE - for reasons of their own - chose a system that will never be compatable with the rest of Europe.
As to why the NATO ACMI WG allowed this to happen ? Well.......
Lastly, URITS is not a 'well proven & reliable' system. As of 12 months ago no 'real-time' weapon fly-outs had been performed and no data was available for data-link blanking at realistic BVR ranges. Another problem was that any piece of the equipment that had been hung on a USAFE F-15C/E became 'US Eyes Only'.
Last edited by gaylord; 30th Jul 2002 at 20:59.