F-35's radar undergoes field testing

LINTHICUM, Md., July 7 (UPI) -- An important component of the electronic protection system of the F-35 Lightning II has undergone a series of successful tests, the system's developer said.

Northrop Grumman Corp. said the radar system testing occurred during the Northern Edge 2009 military exercise.

Northern Edge 2009 involved about 9,000 members of the U.S. military from various services. The exercises, conducted June 15-26 out of Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, have a central mission of better preparing participants to work together in response to a possible crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.

As part of the operation, Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar was installed on a test aircraft. A company release said the device was able to counter electronic attacks that affect combat capabilities.

"This event represents a major milestone in electronic protection testing for the AN/APG-81 in an operationally representative environment. We have been able to prove a number of EP capabilities years ahead of normal development timelines," Teri Marconi, vice president of Combat Avionics for Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems sector, said in a release. "The AN/APG-81 is the world's most advanced fighter fire control radar. It has extremely robust electronic warfare capabilities and these tests validate years of laboratory testing versus a wide array of threat systems."

Pete Bartos, Northrop Grumman program manager for fifth-generation fighter development, said the recent tests included flights against multiple types of advanced electronic jammers on several aircraft formations.

The AN/APG-81 radar is undergoing integrated avionics testing on a Lockheed Martin test plane and is to be installed in F-35s on the aircraft assembly line in Fort Worth, Texas. The AN/APG-81 is designed and produced by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.

The radar is designed to enable pilots to effectively engage air and ground targets at long range and in all weather conditions, while providing outstanding situational awareness for enhanced survivability, the company said on its Web site.

The AN/APG-81 builds on Northrop Grumman's successful devices for F-16 and F-22 aircraft. The F-22 version has been in operation since January 2006, while an exported version for the F-16 has been available since 2005.

More than 3,000 of the new radar systems are expected to be ordered for the F-35 and are expected to generate strong interest among international customers.

The F-35 Lightning II, for which Lockheed Martin is the main contractor, is a fifth-generation single-seat craft with stealth capabilities. It is designed to provide close air support, tactical bombing and air defense. The fighters are scheduled to enter use in 2011.

BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman are among other companies involved in F-35 production. Companies in several foreign nations have interests in the airplane's development and manufacturer.

The F-35 Lightning II is part of a Joint Strike Force program estimated in 2008 by the U.S. Government Accountability Office to exceed $1 trillion in costs to the U.S. Department of Defense. About $300 billion is needed to buy 2,458 F-35s, and $650 billion would be required to operate and maintain the aircraft, the GAO said. It costs about $83 million to build an F-35.