Northrop Grumman Delivers Enhanced Radar for F/A-22 Raptor

BALTIMORE, May 25, 2005 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has delivered a next-generation variant of the active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control radar for the U.S. Air Force's F/A-22 Raptor air dominance fighter. The new radar will undergo aircraft integration testing this summer at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Designated AN/APG-77(V)1, the radar variant will enable air-to-ground capability provided by a new software suite that is being developed under a separate modernization program. The company has captured advances made in AESA design for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Block 60 F-16 aircraft and incorporated them back into the APG-77. In addition, the (V)1 is more affordable than the current version, in part because the production line relies on a greater degree of automation.

"The (V)1's first flight on an F/A-22 will mark a key milestone for the combined Air Force/industry team," said John C. Johnson, vice president of Combat Avionic Systems at Northrop Grumman. "It paves the way for the integration of the new software suite, which will allow Raptor pilots to perform electronic warfare missions as well as attack fixed and moving targets on the ground in all-weather, day/night conditions."

Johnson added that software development for the radar continues on schedule, with over a year of integration work completed both in the laboratory and on flying testbed aircraft.

Northrop Grumman produces the radar under contract to The Boeing Company's (NYSE:BA) Integrated Defense Systems unit, which has responsibility for integrating the avionic systems for the F/A-22 program, which is led by Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) Aeronautics Co. Raytheon Systems (NYSE:RTN), is a joint-venture partner on the radar program, which is led by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.

evening bumpage.

Quoted: Designated AN/APG-77(V)1, the radar variant will enable air-to-ground capability provided by a new software suite that is being developed under a separate modernization program. The company has captured advances made in AESA design for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Block 60 F-16 aircraft and incorporated them back into the APG-77.

The F-16/60 had a more advanced radar the the F-22? and the F-22 is already having a 'modernization program' within months of first entering service?

I'm shocked! I thought it was the 'Mutts Nuts'

ANdy

Your going to see alot of upgrades on the F/A-22 in the near future, after all the thing was the state of the art around the late 80s, now, it's slightly retrotech.

The F-16/60 had a more advanced radar the the F-22? and the F-22 is already having a 'modernization program' within months of first entering service? I'm shocked! I thought it was the 'Mutts Nuts' ANdy

  Andy, like the RAF wouldn't kill to get hold of some F-22's, if they could afford it.
 I think the spiral development software was planned, and may have more to do with the "ground"capability. If I were to pick a line in the presser that was interesting it would be this...

"It paves the way for the integration of the new software suite, which will allow Raptor pilots to perform electronic warfare missions as well as attack fixed and moving targets on the ground in all-weather, day/night conditions."

Well, most of the time its not going to be using radar, kind of defeats stealthiness if one is emitting radiation.

Quoted: Well, most of the time its not going to be using radar, kind of defeats stealthiness if one is emitting radiation.

 I agree, it will use the data-link big time. However as far as I know the APG-77 is a LPI radar, low probability of intercept meaning even the radar is "stealthy."

Quoted: The F-16/60 had a more advanced radar the the F-22? and the F-22 is already having a 'modernization program' within months of first entering service? I'm shocked! I thought it was the 'Mutts Nuts' ANdy   Andy, like the RAF wouldn't kill to get hold of some F-22's, if they could afford it.  I think the spiral development software was planned, and may have more to do with the "ground"capability. If I were to pick a line in the presser that was interesting it would be this... "It paves the way for the integration of the new software suite, which will allow Raptor pilots to perform electronic warfare missions as well as attack fixed and moving targets on the ground in all-weather, day/night conditions."

I'm only messing with ya! … check out the smiley!

BTW… the RAF WERE offered the F-22, (it was affordable, the unit cost of a Typhoon is not that much less than an F-22), but it was declined as it was felt to be too specialised and not a cost  effective 'ground pounder', (which we need).

ANdy

Quoted: Quoted: The F-16/60 had a more advanced radar the the F-22? and the F-22 is already having a 'modernization program' within months of first entering service? I'm shocked! I thought it was the 'Mutts Nuts' ANdy   Andy, like the RAF wouldn't kill to get hold of some F-22's, if they could afford it.  I think the spiral development software was planned, and may have more to do with the "ground"capability. If I were to pick a line in the presser that was interesting it would be this... "It paves the way for the integration of the new software suite, which will allow Raptor pilots to perform electronic warfare missions as well as attack fixed and moving targets on the ground in all-weather, day/night conditions." I'm only messing with ya! … check out the smiley! BTW… the RAF WERE offered the F-22, (it was affordable), but it was declined as it was felt to be too specialised and not a cost  effective 'ground pounder', (which we need). ANdy

 I know you were horsin' around, I was just pulling your chain a bit, hence my smiley...it's all good!

The Big Issue should not be adding doohickies to the F-22, but sorting the F-35 that will form the backbone of the USAF/USN/USMC/RAF/RN strike capability from 2012… program slippage on that project needs to be addressed big time!… another years been  added to 'initial stand up' date… not good.

ANdy

Old Westinghouse AN/AWG-10A/B techs never die...  They just wish they were 19 forever so they could hang out and play with the new stuff.

RADAR Techs do it with frequency.

D(PhantomPhixerPhorever)Peacher

Quoted: Quoted: Designated AN/APG-77(V)1, the radar variant will enable air-to-ground capability provided by a new software suite that is being developed under a separate modernization program. The company has captured advances made in AESA design for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Block 60 F-16 aircraft and incorporated them back into the APG-77. The F-16/60 had a more advanced radar the the F-22? and the F-22 is already having a 'modernization program' within months of first entering service? I'm shocked! I thought it was the 'Mutts Nuts' ANdy

No.  Just to absolutely clear the air:  NG has decided to upgrade the Raptor radar with the new technology lessons and advances (Mostly software) learned in the other two programs.

Yeah, being the F-22 was designed as an air superiority fighter, I wouldn't imagine the original radar and software would have been up to snuff for advanced air to ground deliveries. That doesn't mean the old radar sucked, just that it was mostly one dimensional. Now that the US Air Force wants to make the F-22 a bomb truck as well, it would make sense to upgrade in that department.

Is this the same radar the Super Hornet is being upgraded with?


You know I had to do it. We can't let an aircraft thread go by without mention of the Superbug.

Quoted: Quoted: Well, most of the time its not going to be using radar, kind of defeats stealthiness if one is emitting radiation.  I agree, it will use the data-link big time. However as far as I know the APG-77 is a LPI radar, low probability of intercept meaning even the radar is "stealthy."

It is LPI.  It is a conformal active phased array radar with no moving parts.  Something akin to the "sensors" in Star Trek.

Quoted: Is this the same radar the Super Hornet is being upgraded with? You know I had to do it. We can't let an aircraft thread go by without mention of the Superbug.

So do you think will the F/A-22 get replaced with the F/A-18E…

Quoted: Quoted: Is this the same radar the Super Hornet is being upgraded with? You know I had to do it. We can't let an aircraft thread go by without mention of the Superbug. So do you think will the F/A-22 get replaced with the F/A-18E…

You never know.

Quoted: Quoted: Is this the same radar the Super Hornet is being upgraded with? You know I had to do it. We can't let an aircraft thread go by without mention of the Superbug. So do you think will the F/A-22 get replaced with the F/A-18E…

The F/A-22's radar has been replaced with........... the F/A-18E Super Hornet.
The Jimmy Carter Class of Seawolf subs are going to be replaced with............ the F/A-18E Super Hornet.