AN/APG-79

The AN/APG-79 is a type of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that was developed for use on the United States Navy's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft.[1] The radar's AESA technology provides quick updates on multiple targets, and its solid-state antenna construction makes it more reliable and cost-effective than traditional radar systems.[2] The radar has a range of up to 150 km (80 nm) and can track multiple targets simultaneously.[3] It is capable of firing weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM's D model and guiding multiple missiles to targets located at varying distances and directions.[3] As of July 2008, 100 APG-79 sets had been delivered to the United States Navy, and the Navy expects to order around 437 production radars.[4] In January 2013, the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) disclosed some issues with the APG-79 radar during its initial operational testing, but upgrades have been made over time.[citation needed]

F/A-18F Super Hornet from VX-9 with AESA radar

Variants

AN/APG-79(V)4

The AN/APG-79(V)4 has been selected for retrofitting the F/A-18C/D[5] and upgrading the fleets of F/A-18 fighters in Malaysia and the United States Marine Corps. The APG-79(V)4 is the first U.S. fighter radar to use gallium nitride (GaN) transmit/receive modules.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "GaAs radar adds grunt to Growler - News". Compound Semiconductor. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  2. ^ "AN/APG-79 - Radartutorial". www.radartutorial.eu. Retrieved 14 December 2020. The AN/APG-79 radar is composed of a numerous solid-state transmit and receive modules to virtually eliminate mechanical breakdown.
  3. ^ a b "AN/APG-79 AESA – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance". Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  4. ^ Corporate Communications, Raytheon (1 July 2008). "Full Speed Ahead: Raytheon Delivers 100th AESA Radar for Super Hornets, Growlers". Raytheon News Release Archive. Retrieved 14 December 2020. Raytheon Company has delivered its 100th APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system to Boeing and the U.S. Navy for use on F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft.
  5. ^ "F/A-18 Air Dominance | Raytheon". www.raytheon.com. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  6. ^ "Keeping 4th-generation fighters relevant - AESA and GaN technology provide a mission advantage".