News

27 May 2009

 

Raytheon wins $54m contract to retrofit US Navy aircraft with AESA radar

Defense contractor Raytheon Company of Waltham, MA, USA has been awarded a $54m US Navy contract by the Naval Air Systems Command of Patuxent River, MD to retrofit APG-79 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars into lots 26-29 of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet block II aircraft. The APG-79 radars use transmit/receive (TR) modules incorporating GaAs MMICs made at Raytheon’s foundry in Andover, MA.

The AESA units will replace the APG-73 radars currently installed in the aircraft, ensuring that pilots and aircrews are equipped with the most advanced technology available.

“Raytheon’s reliable, high-performance radar systems provide an affordable means for fleets to optimize fighter capabilities,” says Tom Kennedy, VP for Tactical Airborne Systems. “The added reliability and maintainability of the APG-79 result in lower life-cycle costs and enhanced capabilities for the Navy.”

Raytheon has delivered 134 AESA radars to the US Navy for the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. With this latest contract, orders for the retrofit of the 133 block II F/A-18s now total 38.

Work on the retrofit program will be performed in Forest, MS; Dallas, TX; El Segundo, CA; and Andover, MA, and should be completed in December 2010.

See related item:

Raytheon wins non-lethal weapons solid-state source contract

Search: Raytheon Radars GaAs MMICs

Visit: www.raytheon.com