AN/APG-66
The AN/APG-66
P-3 Orion
, and Piper PA-42 Cheyenne II's, as well as the Small Aerostat Surveillance System (SASS). Primary air-combat mode is look-down. In that mode, the AN/APG-66 can detect a fighter-size plane at a range of 34.5 Nautical miles (55.6 kilometers). Four modes are available in air-to-air combat. In dogfight mode, the radar scans a 20 degrees x 20 degrees field. In high-g maneuvers, it scans a 40 degrees x10 degrees pattern.
The radar system consists of the following line-replaceable units:
- Antenna
- Transmitter
- Low-power radio frequency
- Digital signal processor
- Radar computer
Specifications
- Frequency: 6.2 to 10.9 GHz
- Search cone: 120 degrees × 120 degrees
- Azimuth angular coverage: ±10 degrees / ± 30 degrees / ± 60 degrees
- Weight: 98 to 135 kilograms (216 to 298 lb) depending on configuration
- Volume: 0.08 to 0.102 cubic metres (2.8 to 3.6 cu ft) depending on configuration
Variants
- APG-66(V) – Employed in select US Navy USCG[1]
- APG-66(T47) – installed in Cessna OT-47B.
- APG-66(V)2 – upgrade of base radar developed for the F-16 Fighting FalconBlock 15 Mid Life Update program. New signal processor, higher output power, improved reliability. Range in clutter/jamming environment increased to 83 km.
- ARG-1 AN/APG-66(V)2 downgraded variant of the APG-66 [A-4AR Fightinghawk
- APG-66(V)2A – AN/APG-66(V)2 with a new combined signal and data processor that provides seven times the speed and 20 times the memory of the older radar computer and digital signal processor line replaceable units. In this new variant, the displayed resolution in ground-mapping mode is quadrupled, and is reported to be close to that offered by SARtechniques. Used for modernization of F-16A/B fleet of Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal and the Netherlands in the mid-1990s.
- ARG-1 AN/APG-66(V)2 downgraded variant of the APG-66 [
- APG-66(V)3 – as APG-66(V)2 but with CW illumination capability, export to Taiwan.[2]
- APG-66(V)X – improved version of the APG-66(V)2/3 radar with greater detection range.
- APG-66H – installed on BAE Hawk 200aircraft, smaller antenna, giving slightly reduced capabilities.
- APG-66J – configured for the Japanese F-4EJupgrade program.
- APG-66NT – installed on US Navy Naval Flight Officers.
- APG-66NZ – installed under the A-4 Skyhawkaircraft.
- APG-66SR
- APG-66SS
- APG-66T – multi-target track while scan variant.
- APQ-164 – designed for the US Air Force B-1 Lancer bomber, with a passive electronically scanned array.
References
- ^ NAVAIR 01-75PAC-1.1, NFO/AIRCREW NATOPS FLIGHT MANUAL NAVY MODEL P-3A/B/C AIRCRAFT
- ^ "F-16 Air Forces - Republic of China / Taiwan".
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