AN/APG-63 radar family
The AN/APG-63 is an all-weather, airborne radar which of Hughes Aircraft (now Raytheon ) was designed. It is the board radar of the F- 15 Eagle and is therefore " Eyes of the Eagle " (Eng. eyes of the eagle ) called. The radar operating in the X band and is a member of the doppler pulse radar, and is suitable for both air and ground targets. Thus, it can detect and track small and fast -flying targets at all altitudes.
Variants
AN/APG-63
When the original version was put into service in 1973 offered it for that time a high degree of automation of various processes, and so relieved the pilot. The range is about 160 km. In 1979, the radar with a PSP ( "Programmable Signal Processor " dt programmable signal processor ) was fitted, resulting in a reprogramming of the system allowed without the hardware had to be replaced. The production of the original version was discontinued in 1986. Until that time, approximately 1,000 radars were delivered, which in some cases are still in service.
AN/APG-70
The APG -70 is to facilitate a redesign of the APG -63 variant to the maintenance and increase reliability. Furthermore, new radar modes have been added. To reduce the cost of parts of the AN/APG-73 ( radar F/A-18 Hornet ) has also resorted to. A special feature of this radar is the so called LPI mode. This means as much as " low probability of detection " and refers to a mode of operation in which techniques are applied in order to avoid detection by enemy radar warning systems ( RWR ). This is achieved inter alia through the targeted control of transmit power and length as well as by rapid frequency change. Has now been introduced also a NCTI mode for the identification of air targets. The computer system has been extensively modernized, with the new MIL -STD- 1750A processor over ten times more memory and more than five times more computing capacity ( 40 million complex operations per second) features. In Ground mapping mode, the radar achieved at a distance of 35 km resolution of 2.6 m. The APG -70 has been installed on all F-15 C / D, but is now partly by the APG -63 (V ) 1 has been replaced.
Specifications:
- Volume: 0.25 m³
- Weight: 251 kg
- MTBF: 80 hours
- Frequency Range: 8-12 GHz
- Range: Air targets: 185 km
- Automatic Target Recognition: 0.015 to 18.5 km
- SAR: > 92 km
AN/APG-63 ( V) 1
This version represents a significant evolution of the APG -63 designs Represents the upgrade includes, inter alia, new transmitters, processors and signal converter. The reliability and ease of maintenance has been further improved. Also precautions have been taken to allow further upgrades and simplify. In March 2001, the first radar was delivered, all now planned 168 machines are equipped with the system.
AN/APG-63 ( V) 2
The APG -63 ( V) 2 also includes significant improvements. Core of this upgrade is the conversion to AESA technology, which significantly increases the performance of the radar (for more details in the appropriate article). This upgrade the F-15 can now use the AIM -120 AMRAAM missile with maximum efficiency. The first systems were delivered to the Air Force in December 2000. The range for a target with an RCS of 1 m is about 145 km.
AN/APG-63 (V) 3
This variant provides the most recent development stage of the APG -63 family dar. While the APG -63 ( V) 2 except for the new antenna AESA: fully expanding (diameter 0.9 m) of the components (V ) 1 variant wherein ( v) 3 variant a new module are integrated to the power line, which reduces the overall weight of the system. In future, also modules from the AN/APG-79, the on-board radar of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, are adopted. Weighs the whole complex in comparison to the (V) variant 1 400 kg less, and is more reliable to 500%. In addition to the F-15C / D and F- 15SG is equipped for Singapore with this radar. The first prototype was delivered in June 2006 by Raytheon. In August 2008, 23 of 55 F-15C / D equipped with the radar, the costs amount to about 9 million U.S. $.
AN/APG-63 (V) 4
Original designation for the AN/APG-82, which has been selected under the " Radar Modernization Program" for the F- 15E. There are all American Strike Eagles are equipped with this radar, with Boeing in 2009 initially only received an order for 179 of 223 machines. The AN/APG-82 is to be installed in the F- 15SE Silent Eagle.
AN/APQ-180
In this variant, there is a specialized variant of the APG -70 radar, which was installed in the AC - 130U Spooky II. Here, the antenna itself was modified and it was advanced modes for the control of ground targets integrated.