Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 - (Page 44)

FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 Thales Joins With Saab for New Gripen Radar The only aspect that was missing from the configuration of Saab’s Next-Generation JAS-39 Gripen (Gripen N/G) was an AESA radar. Attempts had been made by Ericsson (now Saab Microwave Systems) to develop the NORA AESA radar in conjunction with Raytheon in the U.S., but this program was truncated due to problems associated with the export of U.S. technology to third countries. This left Saab looking for a new partner or trying to develop an AESA on their own, but the radar had to be available in a time frame that would be compatible with the program procurement requirements of the Gripen’s campaign in India and other export nations. The solution was for Saab to enter into a partnership with Thales Thales representatives would not comment on the number of T/R modules that would be in the Gripen N/G demonstrator’s radar; only to say that “it will be enough to fill it [the array].” Privately, Saab and Thales officials state that it is basically the same array as the RBE2 AA. that would create a hybrid design composed of a Saab/Ericsson PS-05A back end (processor modules, etc.) and an upgraded version of the Rafale’s Thales RBE2 Active Array (AA) on the front end. Thales representatives would not comment on the number of T/R modules that would be in the Gripen N/G demonstrator’s radar, only to say that “it will be enough to fill it [the array].” Privately, Saab and Thales officials state that it is basically the same array as the RBE2 AA. This hybrid radar may or may not be ready in time for the Indian M-MRCA flight trials, which may prompt the Gripen team to opt for another AESA model, namely the Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Elta EL/M-2052. —Reuben F. Johnson A JAS-39 Gripen soars over Dubai. Northrop AESA Units for Lockheeds Baltimore-based Northrop Grumman continues to push forward with a family of AESA designs that are fitted to the three Lockheed Martin platforms that the radar maker always has been associated with. The first AESA produced by NG was the LM F-22’s APG-77, which is now being modernized with the production of a “spiral development” version, the APG-77(V)1. The (V)1 model is cheaper to produce due to the automation of the production line for the radar’s transmit/receive (T/R) modules. There is also a new software suite that is supposed to enable the array to transmit electronic warfare, attack on ground targets in allweather day/night conditions. The (V)1 was made possible partially due to the advances in AESA design that NG achieved in creating the F-35’s APG-81 and the F-16E/F Block 60’s APG-80. The company has achieved almost complete unity in the design and production of T/R mod44 Raytheon Continues to Expand Its Business in AESA Retrofits U.S. defense electronics firm Raytheon continues to build up its business in retrofitting its Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) radar to platforms already in U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard inventory. Central to that “is the fact that we can leverage off of hot production lines for the customer,” said Mike Henchey, director for Strategy and Business Development within Tactical Airborne Systems, (a division of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems). “A result of these synergies is that the F-15 retrofit is accelerating,” said Henchey. “The 2008 supplemental [Department of Defense] budget includes significant money for the third year of upgrades to the National Guard aircraft The APG-63. and the second year for USAF aircraft.” These contracts for the upgrade of the F-15C/D model airplanes were given to Raytheon sole-source, but the other major upgrade is the radar modernization program (RMP) for the F-15E Strike Eagle. This project is to replace the Strike Eagle’s APG-70 with a modernized APG-63 that is beyond the (V)3 configuration. “Last fall we had a competition [against Northrop Grumman] on the F-15E and Raytheon won on this,” said Henchey. The losing bid by Northrop Grumman was a variant of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor’s APG-77 AESA that was adapted to the F-15. Raytheon officials state this type of competed upgrade for radar can produce some very positive results for different aircraft programs and stands in contrast to the process that was used on the LM F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. “If you look at the F-35 you realize what they had was a platform competition—they did not compete the sensor suite.” — Reuben F. Johnson APG-81 for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. ules as all three models use basically the same module design. The APG-77(V)1 successfully completed flight- test certification in March 2007. The APG-80 has completed all deliveries for the Block 60’s only customer thus far, the United Arab Emirates, but it is now being offered up as part of an export variant of the E/F model for India, Morocco and possibly Brazil. By far the biggest program is the F-35’s APG-81, which will be built in numbers more than the previous two models combined. If the program runs as planned over 3,000 units will be procured, and production will run out to 2035. Upgrades and software updates will run well into the middle of this century. — Reuben F. Johnson July 14, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008 Contents Thirty More Years CFM Reveals New Engine Boeing Reduces Forecast UAVs’ Quiet Revolution Finmeccanica: U.S. Success A Plethora of AESAs BAE North America Plus L-3 Becomes a Prime Better Late Than Never A Peek Behind the Curtain China’s J-10 Revealed Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner Breaking LM’s Hegemony

Farnborough Show News - July 14, 2008

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