Posted on 12/07/2010 10:08:56 PM PST by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has received a contract from Boeing for the production of advanced APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array radars.
The U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Air National Guard will receive radars from the contract and deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2011. The radars are intended to enhance the performance of deployed F-15C aircraft and will replace the current mechanically scanned radar systems. With its superior targeting and tracking capabilities, the APG-63(V)3 will enable aircrews to detect and identify targets well beyond the range of the existing systems.
"Our APG-63(V)3 AESA radars offer significant reliability and maintainability benefits, resulting in lower life-cycle costs," said Steve Schwarzkopf, F-15 program director, Tactical Airborne Systems. "These systems are designed to give pilots the ultimate operational advantage and bring them home safely."
Raytheon Company, with 2009 sales of $25 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 88 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 75,000 people worldwide.
(Excerpt) Read more at raytheon.mediaroom.com ...
Ping
How does it compare to the conventional radar in weight and power comsumption? Or an upgrade of the conventional radar in life cycle costs and reliability?
Comparing life cycle costs of a yet to purchased system to an existing investment should properly include amortization of the unrealized value of the existing investment. Just because I drive a three year old Camry, that doesn’t make “upgrading” to a new four-wheel drive Subaru cost effective, especially if I’m going to have to junk the Camry, or try to sell it to some emir.
The APG-63(V)3 uses an electronically scanned antenna. Getting rid of the mechanically scanned antenna also gets rid of most of your maintenace problems.
Being electronically scanned, it can also track targets much better, since you can electronically steer the antenna almost instantly.
It is the radar that equips the latest version of the F-15E, and is a proven design.
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