Date posted: 10/09/2007*

Raytheon has launched production on its latest APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system for the Air National Guard. The $52.2 million contract is for an initial six systems, plus a spare to the Guard, as part of its F-15C upgrade program. Raytheon will also deliver a system to the U.S. Air Force, which will be upgrading its F-15C’s with an AESA capability in the near future.

The contract amount covers production start-up costs, manufacturing equipment and other spares. Six or more APG-63(V)3 systems are expected to be delivered annually to the Guard in the coming years for a planned total of at least 48.

The APG-63(V)3 program builds on breakthrough technology defined by its AESA radar for the F/A-18. It combines the revolutionary technology of the Navy’s APG-79 AESA radar program, already in production, with improvements on the APG-63(V)2, currently operational with an F-15C squadron. The squadron has just transitioned to Kadena, Japan, from Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska.

In August 2006, Raytheon delivered an initial APG-63(V)3 test system ahead of schedule for integration at Boeing’s F-15 facility in St. Louis. The following month, Raytheon delivered the AESA radar system to the U.S. Air Force for its final phase of developmental testing.

Raytheon has been a partner on the F-15 for more than 35 years. The significant technology advancements of the F-15 APG-63(V)3 AESA radar will increase the combat capability of the F-15 platform for the coming decades.

*The content on this page is classified as historical content. See this important information regarding such content.