Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD -- The NAVAIR F/A-18 Program yesterday awarded a contract worth $49.5 million for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The AESA radar system is integrated in the F/A-18 by prime contractor The Boeing Company, of St Louis, MO and built under a subcontract by Raytheon Corporation of El Segundo, Calif. The LRIP1 contract calls for production of eight of the AESA APG-79 radar systems. Production of the LRIP1 radar could begin as soon as next month, with delivery of the first LRIP1 radar scheduled for early 2005.

The AESA radar is part of the F/A-18E/F Block II upgrade, which includes integration of advanced mission computers, high speed data network, cockpit controls and displays, environmental control system upgrade and forward fuselage affordability improvements. AESA radar works with several existing elements of the weapon system, such as the stores management system, the gun director, and AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles, to enhance the lethality, survivability and affordability of the F/A-18E/F. The new radar replaces existing mechanically scanned antennas with a radar beam that can be steered at close to the speed of light. This rapid beam scan feature dramatically improves performance, and because the array is solid state, mechanical breakdowns will be virtually eliminated.

The AESA team recently embarked on the next exciting phase of flight test as it took to the skies for the first time at NAVAIR China Lake. In addition, the NAVAIR, Boeing and Raytheon team was recently honored by Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine with their 2002 Laureate Award in electronics for their innovation in developing AESA radar technology. The program expects to begin operational evaluation of the AESA radar system in early 2006, with initial operational capability later that year.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch; from sensor data to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment; from real-time communication to aircraft recovery, NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.

For more information about the AESA Radar or the F/A-18 program, please contact Denise Deon Wilson, Public Affairs Officer for PEO-T at 301-481-6263 or [email protected].

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