Japan acquires first two modification kits, including mission computer, for fighter modernisation programme
Japan has begun licence production of the upgraded Raytheon APG-63(V) 1 radar as part of a modernisation programme for its fleet of Boeing/ Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) F-15J fighters.
Test flights of an APG-63(V)1-equipped F-15J prototype started last year, and Japan has now acquired its first two upgrade kits, including a new mission computer. A fighter datalink manufactured by Datalink Solutions and supported with Boeing software will be added to the package later.
Mitsubishi Electric (Melco) is producing the APG-63(V)1 hardware under a licence agreement with Raytheon. Melco previously licence-produced the original version of the APG-63 that is now installed on the F-15J fleet.
Boeing's fighter programmes manager for Japan, Martin Luther, says the US firm supported development of the F-15J modernisation prototype by designing the baseline software, derived from US Air Force software and tailored to meet Japan's requirements. Boeing began developing the software in 1997 and delivered it to MHI in 2001.
MHI, prime contractor for the modernisation programme, integrated the software and other equipment ahead of the 2003 first flight. As part of the second phase of the upgrade programme, Boeing will next year deliver revised software that incorporates a fighter datalink. This is scheduled to be installed on Japan's F-15J fleet starting in 2007. Japan is acquiring the datalink through foreign military sales channels because US policy precludes licence production of encryption technologies.
Japan and South Korea are the first foreign customers for the APG-63(V)1 and the fighter datalink. Seoul's new fleet of F-15Ks will be delivered with both pieces of equipment starting late next year. Japan's APG-63(V) 1 radar will provide only air-to-air modes, but South Korea's will also have an air-to-ground capability.
Boeing and Raytheon say Japan and South Korea may later upgrade their F-15 radars to the active electronically scanned array APG-63(V) 3 version. The US Air Force has already committed to upgrading its F-15Es with the new radar and several international operators, plus potential customer Singapore, have already expressed interest.
"It will be considered for export at some point and is already being considered by Japan," says Raytheon International president Susan Baumgarten. The company says the APG-63(V) 1 can easily be upgraded to the (V) 3 by installing a new antenna. "The only real change is the antenna and power supply."
BRENDAN SOBIE / YOKOHAMA
Source: Flight International
