EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Dec. 5, 2005 /PRNewswire/ -- The revolutionary APG-79
AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar developed by Raytheon
Company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) has scored another first. The
system successfully delivered multiple JDAMs (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
using real-time targeting coordinates derived from a high resolution SAR
(synthetic aperture radar) image during recent testing at the U.S. Navy's
China Lake facility.
This latest demonstration confirms the radar's real-time targeting
capability and establishes a new standard for time-critical precision strike.
The APG-79 radar also allows aircrews to operate at a greater stand-off
distance, in all weather and has the ability to target multiple coordinates
off the same map, which has not been possible before.
To further demonstrate the synergy of the onboard Raytheon sensors, the
JDAM test also employed the ATFLIR (Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking
Infrared) system to provide imagery of the targeting area. Interfacing
seamlessly with the APG-79, ATFLIR recorded the impact of the weapons against
two diverse targets, confirming simultaneous weapon delivery while providing
post-impact bomb damage information.
Erv Grau, Raytheon vice president for Air Combat Avionics, said: "The
beauty of our AESA radar is the revolutionary real-time targeting capability
it brings to the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. This has not been done before.
Simultaneous air-to-ground weapons delivery is now possible against multiple
targets using our high resolution SAR images. Furthermore, we were able to
demonstrate the seamless operation between the radar and ATFLIR which further
enhances the superiority of the Super Hornet."
The APG-79 is the world's only air-to-air and air-to-surface multi-mode
AESA radar in production today.
"These tests prove that the radar can work flawlessly with the other
critical mission systems on the aircraft, such as the Joint Helmet-Mounted
Cueing system, the Multi-function Information Distribution System, ATFLIR and
both the ALR-67v3 and IDECM electronic warfare systems," said Chris Chadwick,
vice president for Boeing's F/A-18 program. "It is this integrated weapon
system approach that will give our warfighters the edge they need to dominate
the battlespace."
The program has also been highly successful during the recent air-to-air
live fire demonstrations last month in which an AMRAAM was successfully
deployed. This proved that weapons delivery from an AESA equipped F/A-18 can
now be executed at ranges not possible before.
"In the past, the weapon's capability exceeded that of the aircraft. The
missile could reach the target, but the radar couldn't see it. Now, with the
APG-79 radar, the aircraft's capability exceeds that of the weapon, and this
gives us an enormous advantage when prosecuting a mission," said Capt. Aaron
"Slime" Bowman, U.S. Navy AESA program manager for the F/A-18.
The APG-79 program is on target to transition from engineering
manufacturing development into integrated test and evaluation shortly. This
will be followed by the start of operational evaluation in late spring 2006.
So far each phase has been successfully completed on schedule with outstanding
results.
Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems is the leading provider of sensor
systems giving warfighters the most accurate and timely information available
for the network-centric battlefield.
With 2004 revenues of $4 billion and 13,000 employees, SAS is
headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., with additional facilities in Goleta,
Calif.; Forest, Miss.; Dallas, McKinney and Plano, Texas; and several
international locations.
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN), with 2004 sales of $20.2 billion, is an
industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information
technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft.
With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 80,000 people worldwide.
Contact
Faith Jennings
310 334 2553 office
310 977 1963 mobile
faith_jennings@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Faith Jennings of Raytheon Company,
+1-310-334-2553 or +1-310-977-1963, faith_jennings@raytheon.com
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