The United States Marine Corps (USMC) recently upgraded its radar equipment with Raytheon's APG-79(v)4 AESA radar for its F/A-18C/D classic Hornet fleet. These tactical aircraft have been active in U.S. service history, performing in a range of missions. The Hornet first saw action in the U.S. bombing of Libya in 1986.
Based on the original APG-79 ASEA design from the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Force F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers, the new system will be given additional features to improve radar reliability. Upgrades include a fast targeting laser, an upgraded image capturing feature, simultaneous radar capabilities, and various components designed to prevent potential device failures. The upgrade is intended to make air-, water- and air-to-surface-based tasks more efficient, but will still feature the same sustainability level as previous iterations of the device.
Raytheon Secure Sensor Solutions Vice-President Eric Ditmers stated that Hornet pilots will be able to acquire targets more efficiently.
"With AESA radars, fighter jet pilots and crews tip the scales in their favor over their adversaries," said Ditmars. "Now that the APG-79(v)4 is slated to fly on the classic Hornet, Marine Corps pilots will be able to identify, track and engage more targets over a greater distance than ever before."
Michael Garcia, Raytheon Secure Sensor Solutions senior director of requirements, added that cooling and power factors played a big role in reducing the antenna’s size, correspondingly increasing the radar’s efficiency.
The 90 percent commonality requirement was one of the main reasons that the APG-79(v)4 AESA was chosen over the initial offer, the RACR, which is currently named the “APG-84.” This commonality specifically refers to the model’s tail end for Hornets and Growlers. This will allow the USMC to easily adapt and benefit from the system, along with the global sustainment and upgrade path that is already in place with the system.
The upgrade is designed to reduce maintenance hours while increasing availability for flight operations. With highly improved targeting capabilities for crucial operations, it aims to improve air dominance and maritime strike missions.
Raytheon will begin supplying the USMC with the upgrade by 2020 and plans to complete the process by 2022.
For more news on Raytheon, check out how they built their new state-of-the-art radar production factory here.