futuro f-15C nell'usaf

[Andrea75]

Radar Refits: F-15s Looking for the AESA Edge

 

Most F-15C Eagle air superiority fighters use APG-63 radars, passive arrays mounted on a movable swashplate. While upgrades over the years have improved them, a new generation of radar technologies has appeared. With cruise missile defense rising in importance, and longer-range detection desired, upgrades are necessary. That requires new radars, using AESA technologies that dramatically improve range, while reducing maintenance. The USAF has also discussed a retrofit set that would turn the F-15C Eagless into multi-role fighters, and a next-generation AESA radar would be part of that, too. Meanwhile, they’ve started a program to upgrade select F-15C units with AESA radars, as an air-air improvement.

 

Before: APG-63 MSA

 

APG-63v2 AESA

 

Boeing says that the USAF has granted the F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) approval to begin Low Rate Initial Production Lot 2: 10 APG-82v1 AESA radars.

Installation of the Raytheon-built AESA radar systems is scheduled to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, the APG-82 is undergoing an aggressive flight test program at Eglin AFB, FL, and Nellis AFB, NV.

 

Ed ecco una descrizione delle caratteristiche del radar Active Electronically Scanned Array