Northrop Grumman's contribution to the Lockheed Martin joint strike fighter programme was tested in the recent Northern Edge 2011 joint military exercise.
The two Northrop sensors involved were the AN/APG-81 actively scanned array radar and the AN/AAQ-37 distributed aperture system. The sensors were carried aboard Northrop's BAC1-11 test aircraft.
The biennial exercise involved more than 6,000 US airmen, sailors, and marines. Its aim is to simulate large-scale air combat, testing the effectiveness of various combat platforms. The results of the exercise are still being processed.
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"The rigorous testing of both sensors during this exercise serves as a significant risk reduction step for the JSF programme," said Cdr Erik Etz, deputy mission systems integrated product team lead for the JSF programme office.
"By putting our systems in this operationally rigorous environment, we have demonstrated key warfighting capabilities well in advance of its scheduled operational testing."
The AN/AAQ-37 DAS is a passive system designed to track multiple aircraft and missiles in every direction. Its role is to increase pilots' situational awareness in air combat.
Northrop added that the AN/APG-81 radar was tested with the block three version of the F-35's software, while the DAS was tested with the block two version.
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Source: Flight Daily News
