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AN/APG-77

The AN/APG-77 is a multifunction X-band, low probability of intercept radar (LPIR) installed aboard the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. The radar was designed and initially built by Westinghouse and Texas Instruments, and production continued with their respective successors Northrop Grumman and Raytheon after acquisition.

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AN/APG-77
AN/APG-77 in the National Electronics Museum
Country of originUnited States
ManufacturerWestinghouse (acquired by Northrop Grumman), Texas Instruments (acquired by Raytheon)
Introduced20121
TypeSolid-state active electronically scanned array (AESA)
FrequencyX-band
8–12 GHz (3.7–2.5 cm)2
Range>320 mi (510 km)3
Diameter3 ft (0.91 m)2
Azimuth120°3
Power20 kW peak

The AN/APG-77 is a multifunction X-band, low probability of intercept radar (LPIR) installed aboard the F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft. The radar was designed and initially built by Westinghouse and Texas Instruments, and production continued with their respective successors Northrop Grumman4 and Raytheon after acquisition.

It is a solid-state, Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar whose design is based on the AN/APG-66/68/80(V) family of fire control radars.2 Composed of 1,956 transmit/receive modules (TRM), each about the size of a gum stick, it can perform a near-instantaneous beam steering (in the order of tens of nanoseconds).

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/APG-77" designation represents the 77th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar fire-control equipment. The JETDS system is also now used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.

Implementation

The APG-77 was highly appreciated by pilots transitioning from F-15s upon the F-22's introduction in 2005, providing a massive boost in situational awareness. The APG-77 has an incredibly fast scan time across its 120 degree field of view and could detect aircraft from over 320 mi (510 km) away. The AN/APG-77 system itself exhibits a very low radar cross-section, supporting the F-22's stealthy design.3 The AN/APG-77 also features powerful jamming capabilities said to "fry" the electronics of enemy sensors.2

Improvements

The upgraded version of the radar, designated APG-77(V)1, may have even greater range. Much of the technology developed for the APG-77 was used in developing the AN/APG-81 radar for the F-35 Lightning II, and in turn the technology from the APG-81 was applied upgrading to the APG-77(V)1. The APG-77(V)1 was installed aboard F-22 Raptors from Lot 5 onwards.54 The (V)1 improved air-to-air performance, full air-to-ground functionality (high-resolution synthetic aperture radar mapping, ground moving target indication and track (GMTI/GMTT), automatic cueing and recognition, combat identification, and many other advanced features.456

References

References

  1. Forecast International 2012, p. 1.
  2. Forecast International 2012, p. 2.
  3. Hoffman, Carl (November 2005). "The Raptor Arrives - Debriefing the pilots who got the first crack at the F-22". Air & Space Magazine. Smithsonian Museum. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  4. "F-22 Raptor To Get Upgraded Radar". Defense Update. 2 April 2007. Archived from the original on 22 November 2016. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  5. Forecast International 2012, p. 4.
  6. "Northrop Successfully Completes F-22 Radar Flight-Test Certification". Air-Attack.com (Press release). Baltimore, Maryland: Northrop Grumman. 26 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
Bibliography

Bibliography

See also

See also

External links