The AN/APG-79 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft of the United States Navy. [1] AESA technology provides quick updates on multiple targets, and its solid-state antenna construction makes it more reliable and cost-effective than traditional radar systems. [2] The radar has a range of up to 150 km (81 nmi; 93 mi) tracking multiple targets simultaneously. [3]
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/APG-79" designation represents the 79th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar fire-control equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
As of July 2008 [update] , Raytheon had delivered one hundred APG-79 sets to the US Navy, with a contract for 437 more. [4] In an April 2011 press release, Raytheon announced they had delivered the 250th APG-79. [5]
In January 2013, the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E) disclosed poor reliability issues with the APG-79 radar during its initial operational testing as a result of software instability. [6]
The AN/APG-79(V)4 was selected in December 2020 for retrofitting US Navy and US Marine Corps' F/A-18C/D Hornets, [7] and upgrading the fleets of Canadian CF-188 Hornets, [8] [9] and F/A-18D Hornets of Malaysia. The APG-79(V)4 uses gallium nitride ( Ga N ) transmit/receive modules. [10]
The AN/APQ-188 is the designation for an upgraded variant of the APG-79 adapted by Raytheon for the B-52 Stratofortress Radar Modernization Program (RMP), replacing the Cold War-era mechanically scanned AN/APQ-166. The new radar would also incorporate technology from the AN/APG-82(V)1 of the F-15E Strike Eagle/F-15EX Eagle II aircraft. Under the RMP, the APQ-188 would replace the existing APQ-166 and the upgraded aircraft would be redesignated as the B-52J. [11] [12] [13]
The AN/APG-79 radar is composed of a numerous solid-state transmit and receive modules to virtually eliminate mechanical breakdown.
Raytheon Company has delivered its 100th APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system to Boeing and the U.S. Navy for use on F/A-18 and EA-18G aircraft.