US Marine Corps selects Raytheon’s AESA radar for classic Hornet

Raytheon has been awarded a contract to upgrade the range and targeting capability of the US Marine Corps’ classic Hornet fleet.

Under the contract, the company will provide its APG-79(v)4 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the Marine Corps’s F/A-18C/D aircraft fleet.

Raytheon Secure Sensor Solutions vice-president Eric Ditmars said: “With AESA radars, fighter jet pilots and crews tip the scales in their favour over their adversaries.

“Now that the APG-79(v)4 is slated to fly on the classic Hornet, Marine Corps pilots will be able to identify, track and engage more targets over a greater distance than ever before.”

Deliveries under the contract will start in 2020 and are expected to complete by 2022.

Currently, the APG-79(v)4 AESA radar is integrated on the US Navy and Royal Australian Air Force’s Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers.

The APG-79(v)4 AESA radar provides reliability and enhanced targeting capabilities to the crew when conducting operations such as air dominance, maritime strike, and air-to-surface missions, according to the company.

It also increases availability for flight and offers reduced maintenance hours.

The Hornet multi-role attack and fighter aircraft are powered by two afterburning thrust General Electric F404-GE-400 turbofans and are manufactured by McDonnell Douglas.

The aircraft is also used by foreign customers including Canada, Australia, Finland, Kuwait, Malaysia, Spain, and Switzerland.

In a separate development, the company has been awarded a contract modification for DDG 1000 ship class integrated logistics support and engineering services.