New order for F-15E AESA radars

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EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 18 (UPI) -- Additional active electronically scanned array radars for the U.S. Air Force will be manufactured by Raytheon under a low-rate initial production contract.

The contract, a second LRIP award, came from Boeing for the Air Force's F-15E radar modernization program.

A monetary value for the second LRIP wasn't disclosed. Raytheon, however, said shipment of the units will begin in early 2014, when delivery of the six APG-82(V)1 AESA radars manufactured under the first low-rate initial production is completed.

"Raytheon's APG-82 radars will allow F-15E pilots to fly into battle with increased confidence knowing they are using the world's most advanced airborne radar system," said Mark Kula, vice president of Tactical Airborne Systems for Raytheon's Space and Airborne Systems business.

"Raytheon leads the world in AESA radar production, with more than 400 systems delivered and 300,000 operational flight hours achieved on multiple platforms."

Raytheon's APG-82(V)1 AESA radar simultaneously detects, identifies and tracks multiple air and surface targets at longer ranges than the APG-70 radar now in use.