Northrop, Raytheon ready for radar development

The Air Force is preparing to begin a risk reduction program involving the radar for the JSTARS replacement program. Both Northrop and Raytheon are stepping up for the program.

Not much is known about the Northrop offering. Raytheon is offering a radar based on the AAS that is currently being tested on the P-8A. It uses COTS components, and open architecture, which will allow easy upgrades as it matures.

The current JSTARS radar is the APY-7 PESA system. It's mounted on a 24 foot long fairing under the aircraft. The requirement for the new radar is a 14-20 foot long array capable of detecting slow moving, human sized targets "from great distances".

www.flightglobal.com...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
Not much is known about the Northrop offering. Raytheon is offering a radar based on the AAS that is currently being tested on the P-8A. It uses COTS components, and open architecture, which will allow easy upgrades as it matures.

And the angels sing.