AN/APG-63 radar family
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The AN/APG-63 and AN/APG-70 are a family of all-weather multimode
AN/APG-63
The APG-63 was developed in the early 1970s and has been operational since 1973, and was installed on all F-15A/Bs.[1] In 1979, it received a major upgrade and became the first airborne radar to incorporate a software programmable signal processor (PSP), and the PSP allowed the system to be modified to accommodate new modes and weapons through software reprogramming rather than by hardware retrofit. The APG-63 with PSP is one of the most important features that distinguishes earlier F-15 A/Bs from the F-15 C/Ds fitted with PSP, and with the exception of the final 43 (which are equipped with APG-70), all F-15 C/Ds are equipped with APG-63 with PSP.
The APG-63 series is no longer in production but remains in service. Almost 1,000 APG-63s had been delivered when production ended in 1986. About 700 are still operational in F-15As, Bs, and early model Cs and Ds operated by the
AN/APG-63(V)1
The APG-63(V)1 radar is a 1990s reliability/maintainability hardware redesign which also provided significant mode growth opportunities.
AN/APG-63(V)2
The APG-63(V)2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has been retrofitted to 18 U.S. Air Force F-15C aircraft.[1] This upgrade includes most of the new hardware from the APG-63(V)1, but adds an AESA to provide increased pilot situational awareness. The AESA radar has an exceptionally agile beam, providing nearly instantaneous track updates and enhanced multi-target tracking capability. The APG-63(V)2 is compatible with current F-15C weapon loads and enables pilots to take full advantage of the AIM-120 AMRAAM's capabilities, simultaneously initiating guidance for multiple missiles to several targets widely spaced in azimuth, elevation, or range.
AN/APG-63(V)3
The APG-63(V)3 radar is a more modern variant of the APG-63(V)2, applying the same AESA technology utilized in Raytheon's
AN/APG-64
AN/APG-64 was a development of AN/APG-63. It did not enter service.[4]
AN/APG-70
The APG-70 was a 1980s redesign of the APG-63 for greater reliability and easier maintenance.
APG-70 systems were originally installed on later model F-15C/D aircraft, but have since been replaced on those aircraft by the APG-63(V)1. As with the basic APG-63, the APG-70 is no longer in production; but were in service on the
AN/APG-82(V)1
Originally designated the AN/APG-63(V)4 until 2009, the AN/APG-82(V)1 combines the processor of the
AN/APQ-180
The APQ-180 is a derivative of the APG-70 radar, designed for installation on the
AN/AWG-20
AN/AWG-20 is the Armament Control System used in conjunction with F-15 radars.[15]
AN/AWG-27
AN/AWG-27 is Programmable Armament Control System developed from earlier AWG-20 for use in conjunction with F-15 radars.[16]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "APG-63 series". Archived from the original on 2014-10-11. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
- ^ "Raytheon Delivers Next-Generation F-15 AESA Radar to Boeing Ahead of Schedule". Raytheon, 7 August 2006.
- ^ Production On Raytheon's F-15 AESA Radar Begins[permanent dead link]. Raytheon, 9 October 2007.
- ^ "AN/APG to AN/APH - Equipment Listing". www.designation-systems.net.
- ^ APG-70 Archived June 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Israeli Air force Selected Raytheon Radar for its F-15I Dec 21, 2016
- ^ "Raytheon trumps Northrop with new AESA designation". Flight Daily News, 17 June 2009.
- ^ "Raytheon claims AESA upgrade contract for F-15E". Flightglobal.com, 1 November 2007.
- ^ "Boeing F-15E Radar Modernization Program Receives New Designation". Boeing Media Room.
- ^ "Boeing Selects Raytheon to Provide AESA Radar for U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles" Archived July 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, Boeing, 1 November 2007.
- ^ Israeli Air force Selected Raytheon Radar for its F-15I Dec 21, 2016
- ^ "Japan – F-15J Modernization". Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 31 October 2019. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Vivienne Machi. Raytheon Wins Contract to Provide New AESA Radars to B-52 Aircraft. Defense Daily (July 11, 2019)
- ^ APQ-180 Archived June 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ AWG-20 Archived February 3, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "16 - SOL:AN/AWG-27 PROGRAMMABLE ARMAMENT CONTROL SET (PACS), (01/13/00)". www.fbodaily.com.