APG-79 AESA Radars for Super Hornets
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The F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet’s current radar is Raytheon’s all-weather, multimode AN/APG-73, but the revolutionary new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) APG-79 radar offers significantly greater capability, reliability, image resolution, and range. Unlike the “mechanically scanned” APG-73, the APG-79’s AESA array is composed of numerous solid-state transmit and receive modules that are fixed in place, eliminating a common cause of breakdowns. Other system components include an advanced receiver/exciter, ruggedized commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) processor, and power supplies. With its open systems architecture and compact COTS parts, it changes what the aircrew can do with the radar – and does so in a smaller, lighter package.
Fulfilling part of the Navy’s roadmap to expand the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet’s capabilities for future network-centric operations, Boeing and Raytheon debuted the F/A-18F Block II Super Hornet equipped with the AN/APG-79 AESA radar system at a St. Louis ceremony in April 2005. In October 2006, the first Super Hornet Block II squadron attained the requisite “safe for flight” designation, certifying that they were ready for independent operations with the new equipment. The radar will also be featured on the USA’s related EA-18G Growler electronic jamming aircraft, as it enters service.
This article has been expanded to become DID’s complete Spotlight article covering the APG-79 radar’s capabilities, results, and contracts. Developments since our last update involve a spares contract…
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Subscribe to Defense Industry Insider for immediate access to DII coverage of the introduction of APG-79 AESA radar to the Super Hornet. Our article includes:
- Feature discussion of the AESA radar, including its simultaneous air and ground capabilities, how it works with weapons like AMRAAM and JDAM, and advantages over conventional radars
- Other components of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Block II upgrade, such as mission computers, high speed data network, cockpit controls and displays, and more
- Links to corporate source materials from Raytheon and Boeing
- More articles from the DII library including "EA-18G Program: The USA's Electronic Growler," "The USA's 2005-2009 Multi-Year Hornet Procurement Contract," "Australia Buying 24 Super Hornets As Interim Gap-Filler to JSF," "AESA Comlinks: DID Reader Has Done Prior Research," and "$90M to Boeing for APG-79 'New Capability'"
- 7 photos and concept illustrations
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