AN/APG-77

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AN/APG-77
AN-APG-77, AESA, Active Electronically Scanned Array, Northrop Grumman, 2001 - National Electronics Museum - DSC00388.jpg
AN/APG-77 in the National Electronics Museum
Country of origin United States
Manufacturer Westinghouse (acquired by Northrop Grumman), Texas Instruments (acquired by Raytheon)
Introduced2012 [1]
Type Solid-state active electronically scanned array (AESA)
Frequency X-band
8–12 GHz (3.7–2.5 cm) [2]
Range>320 mi (510 km) [3]
Diameter3 ft (0.91 m) [2]
Azimuth 120° [3]
Power20 kW peak

The AN/APG-77 is a multifunction X-band, low probability of intercept radar (LPIR) installed aboard the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. The radar was designed and initially built by Westinghouse and Texas Instruments, and production continued with their respective successors Northrop Grumman [4] and Raytheon after acquisition.

Contents

It is a solid-state, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar whose design is based on the AN/APG-66/68/80(V) family of fire control radars. [2] Composed of 1,956 transmit/receive modules (TRM), each about the size of a gum stick, it can perform a near-instantaneous beam steering (in the order of tens of nanoseconds).[ citation needed ]

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/APG-77" designation represents the 77th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar fire-control equipment. The JETDS system is also now used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.

Implementation

The APG-77 was highly appreciated by pilots transitioning from F-15s upon the F-22's introduction in 2005, providing a massive boost in situational awareness.[ according to whom? ] The APG-77 has an incredibly fast scan time across its 120 degree field of view and could detect aircraft from over 320 mi (510 km) away. The AN/APG-77 system itself exhibits a very low radar cross-section, supporting the F-22's stealthy design. [3] The AN/APG-77 also features powerful jamming capabilities said to "fry" the electronics of enemy sensors. [2]

Improvements

The upgraded version of the radar, designated APG-77(V)1, may have even greater range.[ according to whom? ] Much of the technology developed for the APG-77 was used in developing the AN/APG-81 radar for the F-35 Lightning II, and in turn the technology from the APG-81 was applied upgrading to the APG-77(V)1. The APG-77(V)1 was installed aboard F-22 Raptors from Lot 5 onwards. [5] [4] The (V)1 improved air-to-air performance, full air-to-ground functionality (high-resolution synthetic aperture radar mapping, ground moving target indication and track (GMTI/GMTT), automatic cueing and recognition, combat identification, and many other advanced features. [4] [5] [6]

References

  1. ↑ Forecast International 2012, p. 1.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Forecast International 2012, p. 2.
  3. 1 2 3 Hoffman, Carl (November 2005). "The Raptor Arrives - Debriefing the pilots who got the first crack at the F-22". Air & Space Magazine . Smithsonian Museum. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "F-22 Raptor To Get Upgraded Radar". Defense Update. 2 April 2007. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. 1 2 Forecast International 2012, p. 4.
  6. ↑ "Northrop Successfully Completes F-22 Radar Flight-Test Certification". Air-Attack.com (Press release). Baltimore, Maryland: Northrop Grumman. 26 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.

Bibliography

See also

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