Trials to start in mid-2006 as congressional committees earmark funds for ANG
Raytheon plans to start production of its APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar by the end of next year for anticipated launch customers the US Air National Guard (ANG) and Singapore.
The first (V)3 system will be test flown on a Boeing F-15E at Eglin AFB, Florida for three months starting in mid-2006, concluding the development phase of the new radar programme. “After flight test, we’re ready to go into initial production,” says Raytheon’s director of new business for F-15 radar programmes, Arnie Victor.
Raytheon has not yet been awarded a contract to produce (V)3 radars beyond the one unit to be supplied for flight test, but the company expects to secure contracts for both customers next year. Victor says congressional committees have earmarked funds in the USA’s fiscal year 2006 budget to cover one production unit for the ANG, but it could still receive approval to meet a request for six radars and one spare (Flight International, 27 June-3 July).
Meanwhile, Singapore requires the (V)3 system to be incorporated with its future fleet of up to 20 F-15Ts, which will be delivered from late 2008. Victor declines to comment on current contract negotiations with Singapore, but acknowledges a hardware purchase must be in place during 2006 to meet its delivery requirements.
Raytheon has already developed new air-to-surface and anti-ship modes for APG-63(V)1 launch export customer South Korea and these need only be adapted for Singapore’s active array for the F-15T.
Victor says Raytheon will finish producing (V)1 systems for Seoul’s 40 F-15Ks next year and the new AESA design will be available as an option if it decides to acquire another batch of aircraft or upgrade its initial platforms, deliveries of which will conclude in 2008.
Victor adds that an upgrade programme to install the (V)1 sensor on 178 of the US Air Force’s F-15Es will be completed soon.
BRENDAN SOBIE/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
