Both countries are looking to upgrade their F-16 fleets within the next two years in order to keep their force structure at the cutting edge of today's complex battlespace. RACR is designed for all F-16s and is approved for export.
The program is on schedule to fly production hardware on an F-16 during the first half of 2010.
"RACR continues to exceed expectations in meeting key production andintegration milestones and has just wrapped up a series of validationtests at Lockheed Martin's system integration laboratory," said Dr. Tom Kennedy, vice president of the Tactical Airborne Systems business division.
The program demonstrated various radar capabilities in bothair-to-air and air-to-ground modes as well as integration withRaytheon's F-16 center pedestal display. The new color display allowspilots to conduct simultaneous operations and provides a clearer picture of the overall battlespace.
"RACR has 90 percent software and hardware commonality with ourcombat-proven AESA radar for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Several U.S. Navysquadrons are already operational in theater with this technologytoday, while the Royal Australian Air Force is also in flight trainingwith our AESA radar system. This active production line allows us toprovide F-16 customers with a high-performing, affordable but low-risksolution while also addressing obsolescence challenges they currentlyface with mechanical scanned radars," added Kennedy.
Within the past year Raytheon has also installed the RACR radartwice on F-16s at both Lockheed Martin and Edwards Air Force Base. Theseamless installation process demonstrated Raytheon's proven modularradar design resulting in an easy upgrade path for customers who needAESA radar capability.
"Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have worked together nearly six yearsto develop RACR for F-16s in order to meet our customer requirements,"said Brian MacDonald, RACR program manager. "The F-16 is an outstandingtactical aircraft, and we recognize the need to support our customers,keeping them relevant in the changing battlespace of today and thefuture."
RACR is a program in Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business.With 2008 revenues of $4.4 billion, 12,000 employees and headquartersin El Segundo, SAS is a leading supplier of sensor systems that provideactionable information for the network-centric battlefield.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technologyand innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security andother government markets throughout the world. With headquarters inWaltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.
