Raytheon Tests New APG-79(V)X AESA Radar to Lengthen US Navy F/A-18C-D Hornet Relevance

: Posted On Monday, 12 January 2015 18:19

Naval Defense Industry News - USA

Raytheon Tests New APG-79(V)X AESA Radar to Lengthen US Navy F/A-18C-D Hornet Relevance

A successful flight test of the Raytheon-built APG-79(V)X AESA radar system has demonstrated the functions needed to extend the relevance of F/A-18C/D Hornet fighter/attack jets, including:
» extended detection ranges
» simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities
» production of high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mapping
» industry leading reliability.

ARABIAN GULF (Feb. 25, 2012) From top; an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, flown by Lt. Cmdr. Warren Tomlinson and Lt. j.g. Josh Raymond, an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81 flown by Lt. Daniel Solfelt, an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, flown by Cmdr. Craig Sicola, and an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 flown by Lt. Taylor Hesse, fly over the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones during a mission flown from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and CVW 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)

"We put our latest AESA radar capability to the test and it exceeded our expectations," said Mike "Ponch" Garcia, business development director of Tactical Airborne Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business, and a former F/A-18E/F Super Hornet pilot/instructor. "Our APG-79(V)X combines the best features of our AESA portfolio to ensure low risk and give F/A-18C/D a tactical advantage for the next 15 to 20 years."

The company has delivered more than 500 tactical AESA tactical radars from its portfolio that includes the APG-79, APG-63(V)3 and APG-82(V)1 for F-15, F/A-18E/F, EA-18G and B-2 aircraft. The APG-79 system, a U.S. Navy program of record, flies globally on F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, and has seen service in four combat theaters since its first delivery in 2006.

"Raytheon fielded the world's first operational AESA radar for fighter aircraft in 2000," said Roy Azevedo, vice president for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business. "Our portfolio of tactical AESA radars has now flown more than 500,000 operational hours – an industry first. We will continue to advance this technology to give our warfighters the greatest possible tactical advantage."