F-15E takes first flight with new radar system

F-15E takes first flight with new radar system

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

F-15 Eagle/F-15E Strike Eagle | Info, AN/APG-63/70/82, Costs, Specs

"The new radar system does everything faster, is extremely precise and requires less maintenance," Riley said. "It can designate air-to-air and air-to-ground simultaneously, allowing us to track enemy aircraft and identify ground targets at the same time."

• Near-simultaneous interleaving of selected air-to-air and air-to-ground functions
• Enhanced air-to-air and air-to-ground classified combat identification capabilities
• Longer range air-to-air target detection and enhanced track capabilities
• Longer range and higher resolution air-to-ground radar mapping
• Improved ground moving target track capability

Replacing APG-70 mechanically scanned radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) system designated as the APG-82(V)1. The RMP replaces the F-15E's more than 20-year-old legacy radar.

The multi-mode AN/APG-70 is a 1980s derivative of the APG-63 that adds air-ground modes and maintainability improvements. Gate array technology adds air-ground modes, and improves air-air effectiveness. The APG-70 is employed on late model F-15C/D Eagles, all F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft, and on the Israeli F-15I and Saudi F15S Strike Eagle variants. Beyond the F-15, a variant of the APG-70 radar called the AN/APQ-180 adds a modified planar array, an upgraded signal processor, and several enhanced air-to-ground modes, for use on the USA’s AC-130U Specter gunship aircraft.

AN/APG-82. The F-15E RMP program’s fit-out would add a few refinements to the ‘v3,’ and receive a new designation: AN/APG-82v1. New Radio Frequency Tunable Filters (RFTF) will enable the aircraft’s radar and Electronic Warfare System to function at the same time, and an improved Environmental Cooling System (ECS) will improve liquid cooling capacity by 250%. Other back-end changes will include a new wideband radome, a new radio frequency tunable filter, updates to the F-15E’s core Operational Flight Program software and Electronic Warfare software, and wiring changes. 


"The old radar system is hydraulic, has moving parts and requires three maintainers to perform repairs after every 30 flight hours," said Master Sgt. Jennifer Schildgen, 366th Fighter Wing avionics manager. "The new radar system is a beam scan, doesn't have any moving parts and is projected to only require one maintainer to perform repairs after more than 2,000 flight hours."

F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP)

Executive Summary

F-15E Radar Modernization Program (RMP) developmental flight testing began in January 2011. The RMP demonstrated incremental progress towards operational effectiveness, suitability, and mission capability during developmental test activities throughout FY11. IOT&E is scheduled to begin in June 2012.

The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) conducted an Operational Assessment (OA) from January 5 through April 29, 2011, to assess RMP progress towards operational effectiveness, suitability, and mission capability in support of the program’s Milestone C decision.

During the OA period, RMP demonstrated functional equivalence to the legacy F-15E radar in some of the system’s air-to-air modes and made progress in meeting air-to-air detection and track capabilities under limited and highly scripted test conditions. However, short range air-to-air capabilities and air-to-ground capabilities were insufficiently mature to demonstrate functional equivalence during FY11 developmental flight test.

Two significant shortfalls were uncovered during FY11 developmental testing: unanticipated electromagnetic interference (EMI) between the radar and aircraft Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio, and aircraft Environmental Control System (ECS) component failures and in-flight  cautions associated with RMP system integration on the aircraft. Resolution of these shortfalls is ongoing and should be completed prior to IOT&E.