Northrop Grumman has announced that its AN/APG-83 SABR active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has met the U.S. Air Force’s Full Operational Capability (FOC) readiness on Air National Guard F-16s, the company reported on Thursday.
“SABR enables F-16 pilots to detect, track, identify and target a greater number of threats faster and at longer ranges from outside the threat envelope,” said Mark Rossi, director, SABR programs, Northrop Grumman. “This upgrade will keep the multirole F-16 fighter relevant and capable for decades to come.”
The designation has proven that the AESA radar has met a U.S. Northern Command Joint Emergent Operational Need (JEON) for homeland defense. The U.S. Air Force began installation of APG-83 radars on Air National Guard F-16s on Sept. 7, 2020.
Northrop Grumman’s radar upgrade of Air National Guard F-16s has extended the operational reliability of the fleet and has provided pilots with 5th-generation fighter radar capabilities to defend our nation’s airspace.
The AN/APG-83 has integrated all-weather, high-resolution synthetic aperture radar mapping to provide a large surface image for more precise target identification and strike compared to legacy systems.
Northrop Grumman’s design has included proven hardware and advanced operating modes from the company’s fifth-generation F-35 and F-22 AESA radars. The advanced radars will drive efficiencies and affordability improvements across the suite of Northrop Grumman’s AESA radar programs.
With the announcement, the AN/APG-83 AESA has been labeled as an official program of record for the active and reserve U.S. Air Force and the Guard.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.
