AN/APG-79: Difference between revisions
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TeamMaximus (talk | contribs) m Replaced unexpanded acronyms SCS H4E SQT with full words "Software Configuration Set (SCS) H4E Software Qualification Test (SQT)". H4E is the SCS version number for the software, so is not an acronym. |
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• DOT&E reported on APG-79 radar IOT&E [initial operational test and evaluation] in FY07, assessing it as not operationally effective or suitable due to significant deficiencies in tactical performance, reliability, and BIT functionality. |
• DOT&E reported on APG-79 radar IOT&E [initial operational test and evaluation] in FY07, assessing it as not operationally effective or suitable due to significant deficiencies in tactical performance, reliability, and BIT functionality. |
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• The Navy conducted APG-79 radar FOT&E [follow-on test and evaluation] in FY09 in conjunction with SCS H4E SQT. The Navy’s Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force subsequently reported that significant deficiencies remained for both APG-79 AESA performance and suitability; DOT&E concurred with this assessment. |
• The Navy conducted APG-79 radar FOT&E [follow-on test and evaluation] in FY09 in conjunction with Software Configuration Set (SCS) H4E Software Qualification Test (SQT). The Navy’s Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force subsequently reported that significant deficiencies remained for both APG-79 AESA performance and suitability; DOT&E concurred with this assessment. |
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• The APG-79 AESA radar demonstrated marginal improvements since the previous FOT&E period and provides improved performance relative to the legacy APG-73 radar. However, operational testing does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in mission accomplishment between F/A-18E/F aircraft equipped with AESA and those equipped with the legacy radar. |
• The APG-79 AESA radar demonstrated marginal improvements since the previous FOT&E period and provides improved performance relative to the legacy APG-73 radar. However, operational testing does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in mission accomplishment between F/A-18E/F aircraft equipped with AESA and those equipped with the legacy radar. |
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Revision as of 18:00, 11 June 2019
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2015) |
The AN/APG-79 Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar is a new development for the United States Navy's Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and Boeing EA-18G Growler aircraft, providing a high level of aircrew situational awareness. The beam of the AESA radar provides nearly instantaneous track updates and multi-target tracking capability. The APG-79 AESA uses transmit/receive (TR) modules populated with Gallium arsenide Monolithic microwave integrated circuits.[1] In the F/A-18E/F, the radar is installed in a slide-out nose rack to facilitate maintenance.
The APG-79 features an entirely solid-state antenna construction, which improves reliability and lowers the cost compared to a traditional system. The radome of the APG-79 for the F/A-18E/F slides forward instead of hinging to the right, which saves space in aircraft carrier hangars.[citation needed][clarification needed]
The APG-79 is compatible with current F/A-18 weapon loads and enables aircrew to fire the AIM-120 AMRAAM, simultaneously guiding several missiles to several targets widely spaced in azimuth, elevation or range.
The APG-79 radar completed formal operational evaluation (OPEVAL) testing in December 2006. As of January 2007 the radar was installed in 28 aircraft; some were experiencing software problems but that issue was expected to be resolved by the end of fiscal year 2007.[2] As of July 2008, Raytheon had delivered 100 APG-79 sets to the Navy; on 3 June 2008, the Navy received the first APG-79-equipped Boeing EA-18G Growler. The Navy expects to order approximately 400 production radars.[3]
In January 2013, the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E) disclosed a long history of problems for the APG-79 radar in initial operational testing.[4]
• DOT&E reported on APG-79 radar IOT&E [initial operational test and evaluation] in FY07, assessing it as not operationally effective or suitable due to significant deficiencies in tactical performance, reliability, and BIT functionality.
• The Navy conducted APG-79 radar FOT&E [follow-on test and evaluation] in FY09 in conjunction with Software Configuration Set (SCS) H4E Software Qualification Test (SQT). The Navy’s Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force subsequently reported that significant deficiencies remained for both APG-79 AESA performance and suitability; DOT&E concurred with this assessment.
• The APG-79 AESA radar demonstrated marginal improvements since the previous FOT&E period and provides improved performance relative to the legacy APG-73 radar. However, operational testing does not demonstrate a statistically significant difference in mission accomplishment between F/A-18E/F aircraft equipped with AESA and those equipped with the legacy radar.
• Full development of AESA electronic warfare capability remains deferred to later software builds.
No date was predicted for the F/A-18 E/F Hornet's APG-79 radar reaching an operationally suitable status.
See also
References
- ^ "GaAs radar adds grunt to Growler," compoundsemiconductor.net, July 2007[dead link]
- ^ "Nagging software problem plagues Super Hornet radar," Jane's Defence Weekly, January 2007 Archived 5 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Raytheon Press Release 1 July 2008 Archived 17 June 2003 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2012/