CHINA LAKE, Calif., Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- A revolutionary radar system
from Raytheon Company for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet with
significantly improved reliability, target detection and tracking range has
successfully completed its first in-flight test at NAVAIR, China Lake, Calif.
The test, which lasted for two hours on July 30, verified the integration
of the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanning Array (AESA) radar with onboard
avionics and demonstrated that various subsystems were in working order. The
evaluation was conducted on an F/A-18F two-seat model test aircraft.
The event marked the beginning of the validation and verification
procedure for the system, which is expected to enter service in 2006. Tested
at various altitudes and range scales, the radar produced clear maps of Santa
Catalina Island and surrounding ocean waters off the coast of Southern
California.
The radar was developed in record time by a team at Raytheon Space and
Airborne Systems (SAS) that worked with the Navy and Boeing, which builds the
aircraft. The program hit every significant milestone on schedule, allowing
demonstration of the first system months ahead of plan.
"The AESA system is truly transformational technology. The combination of
air-to-air and air-to-ground modes will give our pilots real air superiority,"
SAS President Jack R. Kelble said. "Everything in this system, from the array
in the front through the software that operates the radar to the processor in
the back, is new. Bringing it together in record time was an immense
accomplishment and we're extremely pleased with the performance of the system
in its first flight."
The Raytheon radar is considered revolutionary because it will enable
simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, and thereby allow the
Navy to change its operational tactics, according to Wesley Motooka, SAS vice
president for Tactical Aircraft Systems and Navigation.
"The AESA will permit missiles to be fired while the target is still out of
range," Motooka said. "The crew can detect and process the target well before
it enters the reach of the Super Hornet's air-to-air missiles, permitting
launch at maximum range."
The APG-79 system has been designed to provide warfighters with enhanced
capabilities and flexibility for growth, according to Tom Marchese, AESA
program manager for the Raytheon team.
"The entire team has worked hard to achieve this significant program
milestone," he said. "This system will benefit the warfighter for the
foreseeable future."
Space and Airborne Systems is a $3 billion world leader in the design,
development and manufacture of advanced electronic systems for precision
strike; missile defense; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
applications. Key capabilities include electro-optical/infrared sensors,
airborne radars, solid-state high-energy lasers, precision guidance systems,
electronic warfare systems and space-qualified systems for civil and military
applications.
Raytheon Company, (NYSE: RTN) with 2002 sales of $16.8 billion, is an
industry leader in defense, government and commercial electronics, space,
information technology, technical services, and business and special mission
aircraft. With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon employs more than
76,000 people worldwide.
Contact:
Amy Russell
310.647.0084
arussell@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Amy Russell for Raytheon Company,
+1-310-647-0084, arussell@raytheon.com
|
