The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programme is in discussions with Raytheon and non-US suppliers to become a second source for components on the Northrop Grumman APG-81 active electronically scanned array.

The ongoing supplier negotiations, confirmed by F-35 prime contractor Lockheed Martin, clarify recent remarks by chief programme executive Brig Gen David Heinz.

Speaking to reporters on 2 June, Heinz named Thales and Raytheon as possible alternate suppliers for the F-35 radar, which is now exclusively supplied by Northrop.

"I don't have a capacity issue for radars today. But should I get to a [production] rate in the future and Northrop Grumman says 'Gee we're going to have to build another factory to do this'," Heinz said. "I'm going to look and say 'maybe not you'. There's no reason why I can't say 'Thales, Raytheon, you've got a shot at this. Come in and tell me what you can do better'."

Raytheon currently builds the APG-79 AESA for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and APG-63(V)2/3 AESA for Boeing F-15s. Thales is developing the RBE-2 AESA for the Dassault Rafale.

However, Lockheed confirmed there are no current plans to change the acquisition strategy for the F-35's AESA system. Instead, discussions are focused on potentially signing up Raytheon, Thales and perhaps Finmeccanica's Selex, among other international firms, as second source suppliers for the APG-81's components, Lockheed says.

Northrop and Raytheon compete fiercely for sales in the fighter market for AESA technology, but the two firms also collaborate on wide area surveillance radars, such as the multi-platform radar technology insertion programme (MP-RTIP) under development for the Northrop RQ-4 Global Hawk.

Both Northrop and Raytheon radars feature X-band frequency transmit and receive modules.

Source: Flight Daily News

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