Farnborough 2008 Show News - July 15, 2008 - (Page 78) FA R N B O R O U G H 2 0 0 8 The Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar is aimed at F-16 and F/A-18 retrofits—power and cooling systems are self-contained for easy installation. Raytheon Shows RACR AESA for Re-Fits Raytheon is showing a new AESA that is perhaps the most ambitious plan yet for refitting a new-generation radar and other systems to previous-generation and “classic” fighter platforms. The model is called the Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR) and is based on the design and technology of the F-18E/F’s APG-79 AESA radar set. Originally, Raytheon’s bid to retrofit a scaled-down version of the APG-79 was called RANGR— the Raytheon Next-Generation Radar. But, as Raytheon’s Dave Goold, director for business development, F/A-18 Programs at the company’s Tactical Airborne Systems division, explained, “RANGR had the requirement that liquid cooling had to also be retrofitted in the airplane, along with modifications to the power generation required for the AESA. This proved to not be cost-effective for a number of customers.” “With RACR the power management requirements and the liquid cooling are self-contained within the radar set, so the installation is nonintrusive,” he continued. “Plus our other advantage is that we have distinct, hot production line and proven technology. This gives us a huge advantage over other systems.” “The applications for RACR are two-fold. One is for various models of the F/A-18. There were 30 Block 1 E/F models that were set up for APG-73 and cannot accept the standard APG-79, but RACR would be an application for them. There is also a customer utilization plan for using RACR to turn A models into A+ models and then upgrades for the many C/D. The U.S. Navy now has the APG-79 on their E/Fs and EA-18 Growlers. If you drop the RACR into C/Ds that have enough service life left on them you can have an all-AESA fleet.” “Internationally, you also have some possibilities for those nations that fly the classic Hornets. Some of these already have the [new] ALR-67(3) EW suite. The Royal Australian Air Force is a good example. They modernized their fleet with the APG-73 and have done some service life extension programs, so there is plenty of life left on the airframes. If they equip their A/Bs with RACR then combined with their recently acquired 24 F-18Fs this gives them an allAESA fleet.” “On the F-16 you can take RACR through Block 40 and 30 at least. We are talking with prime manufacturers like LM that make the airplanes and they are very excited across the board. What you are doing is putting a fifth-generation sensor suite capability on a fourth-generation airplane. —Reuben F. Johnson Northrop Grumman Likes SABR for F-16s Earlier this year in Singapore, Northrop Grumman’s Electronic Systems division (NGES) unveiled its Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) AESA radar— designed as a retrofit for F-16C/D Block 50/52 model aircraft already in service around the world. NGES representatives state that the radar was originally developed as a product for the export market—for those countries that operate late-model F-16s that are fitted with NG’s APG-68 mechanical array radar set. The SABR is being shown at FBAS for the first time as part of the expanding number of models of AESAs that the U.S. radar and electronics house has developed. NGES representatives tell Show News that the SABR is a fourth-generation radar design—equal in technology to the APG-77, -80 and -81 models installed on other fighter aircraft. SABR will offer all the advantages of an AESA multifunctional array, but at substantial cost savings. The radar was designed initially to fit the F-16 with no structural, power or cooling modifications—the liquid cooling module is contained in a small unit at the rear of the radar assembly. Additionally, NGES was able to take advantage of years of working with the F-16 and was able to design the SABR in such a way that it matches up with almost all of the interfaces utilized in the previous generation APG-68 model. SABR originally was being planned as the proposed radar for Lockheed Martin’s offer to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium-Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (M-MRCA) program. However, Lockheed Martin officials told Show News, “this plan to offer the IAF what would essentially have been a Block 50/52-double plus was shelved in favor of a version of the F-16E/F with the APG-80 radar that will be customized for India’s requirements. We felt that we had to offer the latest model of our aircraft on the grounds that the Indians would probably not accept anything less.” Currently, NGES is in discussions with several foreign operators of the F-16 about a SABR purchase as a part of an upgrade for their aircraft fleets, but thus far has declined to say which nations are its —Reuben F. Johnson best prospects. SABR will be cheaper than AESA radars. 78 July 15, 2008 www.aviationweek.com/shownews http://www.aviationweek.com/shownews
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