Ramon Lopez/BALTIMORE
Northrop Grumman's APG-68(V)X radar upgrade for US Air Force Lockheed Martin F-16s is under threat from lack of funding, despite having won endorsement from the USAF's F-16 programme office and the Air Combat Command.
An air force study concludes that an $80 million investment in development and integration costs for the APG-68(V)X would save more than $1 billion over the life of the F-16, according to Robert DuBeau, Northrop Grumman's vice-president for avionics systems. The company is developing the upgraded APG-68(V)X radar for use by the USAF and export F-16 customers.
The new radar features exciter and receiver upgrades and a commercial processor offering improved performance and reliability. It also provides a synthetic aperture ground imaging capability for F-16A/B/C/Ds.
DuBeau says a flightworthy system could be available in 20 months' time. Aircraft installation and flight testing could be completed seven to 10 months later.
Lockheed Martin says a different system, the APG-68 Agile Beam Radar (ABR), will be used on 80 "Block 60" F-16s that the United Arab Emirates is purchasing for $7 billion. A contract is expected to be signed later this year with aircraft deliveries expected to begin in 2002.
The APG-68ABR is also being offered to Norway, which is considering a purchase of 40 F-16s or Eurofighter Typhoons. Greece may buy up to 60 APG-68(V)X-equipped F-16s.
In Israel, an enhanced F-16 with the improved APG-68(V)X faces competition from the Boeing F-15E. Israel may buy as many as 60 aircraft. A bid involving Israel's competing Elta EL/M2032 radar was blocked by the US Government.
Source: Flight International
