1st F-15E AESA set delivered

**HKDan** · 24 Sep 10,, 05:05

News
Raytheon delivers first F-15E AESA radar system to Boeing

September 14, 2010

Raytheon Company has delivered the first APG-82(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar for the US Air Force's F-15E radar modernization program.

"Providing the warfighter with the best combat technology system available is our commitment to our customers," said Steve Schwarzkopf, F-15 program director for Tactical Airborne Systems. "With the F-15E equipped with the APG-82 proven-technology radar system, pilots will fly with the most advanced radar in multirole combat."

The delivery of the new radar systems is part of the Air Force's F-15E radar modernization program following the successful completion of the acceptance testing phase.

"One AESA-equipped F-15E can detect and track multiple targets simultaneously, gain the same battle picture and prosecute the same number of attacks that currently require several mechanically-scanned radar assets," said Brad Jones, Boeing director for USAF Development Programs. "The incorporation of the AESA multiplies the effectiveness of the F-15E."

The APG-82(V)1 technology offers more than 20 times the system reliability of previously installed APG-70 radar systems on the F-15E, reducing maintenance cost and improving F-15E performance for the Air Force. When integrated into the F-15 weapons system, the AESA radar will improve the detection and tracking of enemy airborne and surface targets.

As part of the system design and development phase of the radar modernization program, Raytheon will produce AESA radar test units supporting efforts to integrate AESA into the F-15E weapon system. The integration activity will take place at Boeing facilities in St. Louis, Mo., followed by developmental and initial operational test and evaluation flight programs.

Raytheon and Boeing share more than 35 years of success on numerous generations of F-15 radar, beginning with the delivery of the first APG-63 radar in 1972 and the incorporation of the world's first operational fighter AESA radar with the APG-63(V)2. This legacy, along with shared experiences on the F/A-18E/F APG-79, ensures the AESA-equipped F-15E will remain a force multiplier for decades to come.

Source: Raytheon

**HKDan** · 13 Nov 10,, 02:23

Interesting update on the F-15C upgrades.

defence.professionals | defpro.com

Upgraded Boeing F-15Cs Arrive at US Air Force’s Kadena Air Base

18:28 GMT, November 5, 2010 KADENA AIR BASE, Japan | Boeing [NYSE: BA] and U.S. Air Force officials at Kadena Air Base celebrated the arrival of four F-15Cs upgraded with the APG-63(V)3 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar on Oct. 21. The newly arrived F-15Cs will join the APG-63(V)1 and (V)2 aircraft already in the 44th and 67th Fighter Squadrons to provide unmatched combat power for the defense of Japan. The upgrades were installed and tested at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Boeing is under contract to fully upgrade 27 Air Force and 18 Air National Guard F-15C/D aircraft with the APG-63(V)3 AESA over the next 10 months. A total of 54 AESA-equipped F-15C/Ds are scheduled to be on station at Kadena by September 2013.

"The fielded APG-63(V)3 air-to-air capabilities put the F-15C/D in a class by itself and ensure that the Air Force and Air National Guard F-15C/D fleets remain capable, maintainable and affordable," said Todd Burns, F-15C AESA program manager for Boeing. "Delivery of these four aircraft on schedule demonstrates Boeing's commitment to ensuring the F-15 remains a world-class multirole fighter."

Boeing's Global Services & Support division provides U.S. Air Force F-15 sustainment services including ground support equipment, spares and retrofit programs, contractor field teams and a full range of training systems and services.

The Raytheon APG-63(V)3 is a highly reliable and affordable high-performance AESA for the F-15 air-to-air variant. The AESA radar antenna is 50 times more reliable than the mechanically scanned antenna it replaces.

"This system improves our capabilities and lethality as a combat air force. We will fly our missions equipped with the world's most powerful air- to-air radar," said Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena. "This capability strengthens our ability to carry out our mission to provide unmatched combat power, provide a forward power projection platform, and provide for the common defense of Japan."

The APG-63(V)3 radar is the latest in a series of planned upgrades that will ensure the F-15C’s combat-proven air supremacy well into the 21st century. These include a fighter-to-fighter data link, GPS navigation and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System, which enable the warfighter to conduct network centric operations while employing the latest air-to-air weapons.

**Blademaster** · 13 Nov 10,, 06:23

Why are the radar AESAs different for each version? Why not standardize the radar systems? Is it true that with the advent of AESAs, F-15Cs can take on the roles of F-15Es albiet without the second person, the WRO/

**Chogy** · 13 Nov 10,, 14:26

Originally Posted by Blademaster

Why are the radar AESAs different for each version? Why not standardize the radar systems? Is it true that with the advent of AESAs, F-15Cs can take on the roles of F-15Es albiet without the second person, the WRO/

Interesting question. At one time, we had a mix, within a wing, of APG-63 and APG-70, with the -70 going to the middle of three squadrons. Being "upnumbered", we assumed it would be superior, but those that flew it wanted their -63's back. All I can think of is that the APG-70 was originally designed to be superior for mapping and other ground attack duties, something we never practiced. The early APG-63 had a "map" mode, and no one could ever get it to work worth a damn. Perhaps the -70 improved that.

What I would give to play with an AESA set... having that tight beam slashing about, updating targets at electronic speeds... no antenna banging about, or mechanically failing.

**HKDan** · 13 Nov 10,, 15:37

Originally Posted by Blademaster

Why are the radar AESAs different for each version? Why not standardize the radar systems? Is it true that with the advent of AESAs, F-15Cs can take on the roles of F-15Es albiet without the second person, the WRO/

The two versions of AESA radars that are in servce with F-15Cs are the AN/APG-63v2 and the AN/APG-63v3. The APG-63v2 is an earlier AESA and was installed on 18 USAF F-15Cs. They were based at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska, but are now at Kadena. The APG-63v3 are a newer radar, and contracts to upgrade F-15Cs with them are recent and fielding is ongoing. They are the radars that are referred to in the article I posted above. The difference in capabilities between the two is something that you would have to ask a person who is smarter and better informed than me.

**BenRoethig** · 14 Nov 10,, 04:58

And it take it one step forward, the APG-82 is the 63v3 antenna with the more powerful processor from the Super Hornet. Think of it as basically APG-63v4.

**JA Boomer** · 15 Nov 10,, 17:56

Originally Posted by Blademaster

Why are the radar AESAs different for each version? Why not standardize the radar systems? Is it true that with the advent of AESAs, F-15Cs can take on the roles of F-15Es albiet without the second person, the WRO/

For a nice summary of the development of these radars and their capabilities:

APG-63 and APG-70 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Can the Golden Eagles equipped with the APG-63v(3) be effectively used in the strike role (the F-15E's primary mission)? In short, they could, but they won't. While I'm sure with the new radar the F-15C's now have a very advanced air-to-ground mapping capability, I doubt the F-15C crews will begin training with air-to-ground weapons or in air-to-ground tactics. This will be especially true given the vast reduction in F-15A/C numbers over the last few years and the relatively few F-22A's in the USAF inventory. The F-15C's will be continued to be counted on to perform the air superiority mission.

**Jimmy** · 15 Nov 10,, 18:06

There's a lot more involved with converting C models to drop bombs than just radar modes. Never gonna happen.

**BenRoethig** · 15 Nov 10,, 18:22

Which is one of the reasons they had to modify the airframe so much for the E. The F-15C doesn't have wing pylons capable of carrying munitions where with the Tomcat and the F-14, they had latent air to ground capability.

**Versus** · 26 Nov 10,, 18:49

It was about time. For me, F-15 is the ultimate bad mother of all planes, a true war bird all the way.

**Chogy** · 27 Nov 10,, 14:14

Originally Posted by BenRoethig

Which is one of the reasons they had to modify the airframe so much for the E. The F-15C doesn't have wing pylons capable of carrying munitions where with the Tomcat and the F-14, they had latent air to ground capability.

Well, we had wing pylons that could carry 4,000 pounds of fuel each, and a pair of AIM-9's. The hardware was there. It wouldn't have been difficult to swap those pylons with new ones capable of carrying ordnance. The software was installed as well, a big knob that could select "Air to Ground." Made the HUD do funny things, and the radar went into a different mode. But we didn't train with it.