Title: Weapon systems officer - Wikipedia
Headings: Weapon systems officer
Weapon systems officer
Contents
Gallery
United Kingdom
United States
Overview
U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
U.S. Air Force
Training
Primary
Intermediate
Advanced
Graduate training
See also
References

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(September 2014)
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F-15E cockpit view from tanker; pilot and WSO visible
Comparative military ranks

Armies
Air forces
Space forces
Navies
Air forces
( Commonwealth system)
Commissioned officers

Field marshal or
General of the army or
General of the air force
Admiral of
the fleet
Marshal of
the air force

General
Admiral
Air chief marshal

Lieutenant general
Vice admiral
Air marshal

Major general
Rear admiral
Air vice-marshal

Brigadier or
brigadier general
Commodore
Air commodore

Colonel
Captain
Group captain

Lieutenant colonel
Commander
Wing commander

Major or
commandant
Lieutenant
commander
Squadron leader

Captain
Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant

Lieutenant or
first lieutenant
Lieutenant
junior grade or
sub-lieutenant
Flying officer

Second lieutenant
Ensign or
midshipman
Pilot officer

Officer cadet
Officer cadet
Flight cadet
Enlisted ranks

Warrant officer or
sergeant major
Warrant officer or
chief petty officer
Warrant officer

Sergeant
Petty officer
Sergeant

Corporal or
bombardier
Leading seaman
Corporal or Leading aircraftman

Private or
gunner or
trooper or
specialist
Seaman
Aircraftman or
airman or
aviator
v
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A Weapon Systems Officer ( WSO; " wizzo " as a common nickname) is an air flight officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of a military aircraft. Historically, aircrew duties in military aircraft were highly specialised and rigid, because the relevant controls, instruments/displays, and/or weapons were concentrated in front of particular seats, panels or positions. That included two-seat variants of fighter or attack/strike aircraft (including late 20th century types such as the F-4 Phantom II, A-6 Intruder, F-111, Panavia Tornado, Su-24 Fencer and Su-30MK Flanker-C, Dassault Mirage 2000N/2000D ). From the 1970s onward an aircraft with two-member crews, such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F/A-18F Super Hornet or Su-34 Fullback and Dassault Rafale B have often featured programmable multi-function displays. These programs allow roles to be more flexible than previous generation aircraft.