Boeing has selected Raytheon to develop an active-array radar for the F/A-18E/F. The companies will begin development at their own risk, as the US Navy is not expected to secure funding for the active electronically scanned array (ASEA) upgrade until 2001.
The "advance agreement" to begin development of the AESA with company funds will enable the new radar to be installed earlier in the E/F production programme. If the USN signs an engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract early in 2001, as expected, a minimum of 336 of the 548 aircraft planned will receive the AESA. This could increase to 408 if the US Navy decides to retrofit E/Fs with the new radar.
The programme is potentially worth $1 billion to Raytheon, which beat competition from Northrop Grumman to replace the current F/A-18 radar - Raytheon's mechanically scanned APG-73. Under its "pre-EMD" agreement with Boeing, the company will produce a prototype radar.
After receipt of a USN contract, Raytheon will produce two full-up AESA prototypes, the first of which will fly first in Boeing's 737 avionics testbed in early 2002. The second will fly in an F/A-18E/F. Production deliveries are to begin in 2004 with the AESA-equipped E/F becoming operational in 2006.
The active-array radar will increase air-to-air detection and tracking range and air-to-surface mapping resolution and range. Boeing claims this will improve crew situational awareness and reduce operating and support costs. The company believes an AESA is crucial to securing export customers for the upgraded F/A-18. Boeing has received permission to sell a "stripped down" version of the E/F, but is still working with the USN to secure export release for the AESA-equipped aircraft.
The company expects the just-completed USN operational evaluation (Opeval) of the E/F to criticise the aircraft's lack of an AESA. It also expects the classified Opeval report, due in January, to criticise the aircraft's acceleration and climb rate - a result of the USN's decision to trade off air combat performance in favour of increasing the upgraded F/A-18's strike capability.
Passing Opeval is crucial if the F/A-18E/F is to be approved for full-rate production in March. Congress has already agreed to a five-year, 222-aircraft multi-year procurement programme if production is approved.
Meanwhile, the first F/A-18E/Fs have been delivered to the fleet readiness squadron at NAS Lemoore, California, to allow pilot training to begin.
• Northrop Grumman has received a $4.4 million contract to begin producing replacement fuselage centre barrels for US Navy and Marine Corps F/A-18A/B/C/Ds.
Source: Flight International
