Raytheon details AESA radar flight test plan
Trials to start in mid-2006 as congressional committees earmark
funds for ANG
Raytheon plans to start production of its APG-63(V)3 active
electronically scanned array (AESA) radar by the end of next year
for anticipated launch customers the US Air National Guard (ANG)
and Singapore.
F 15T
The first (V)3 system will be test flown on a Boeing F-15E at Eglin
AFB, Florida for three months starting in mid-2006, concluding the
development phase of the new radar programme. After flight test,
were ready to go into initial production, says Raytheons
director of new business for F-15 radar programmes, Arnie
Victor.
Raytheon has not yet been awarded a contract to produce (V)3 radars
beyond the one unit to be supplied for flight test, but the company
expects to secure contracts for both customers next year. Victor
says congressional committees have earmarked funds in the USAs
fiscal year 2006 budget to cover one production unit for the ANG,
but it could still receive approval to meet a request for six
radars and one spare (Flight International, 27 June-3 July).
Meanwhile, Singapore requires the (V)3 system to be incorporated
with its future fleet of up to 20 F-15Ts, which will be delivered
from late 2008. Victor declines to comment on current contract
negotiations with Singapore, but acknowledges a hardware purchase
must be in place during 2006 to meet its delivery
requirements.
Raytheon has already developed new air-to-surface and anti-ship
modes for APG-63(V)1 launch export customer South Korea and these
need only be adapted for Singapores active array for the
F-15T.
Victor says Raytheon will finish producing (V)1 systems for Seouls
40 F-15Ks next year and the new AESA design will be available as an
option if it decides to acquire another batch of aircraft or
upgrade its initial platforms, deliveries of which will conclude in
2008.
Victor adds that an upgrade programme to install the (V)1 sensor on
178 of the US Air Forces F-15Es will be completed soon.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
http://www.flightinternational.com/Articles/2005/11/15/Navigation/177/202858/Raytheon+details+AESA+radar+flight+test+plan.html