372 APG-83 AESAs for F-16s

Which active-duty squadrons are slated for the new radar?

Hi! Technically, they're all getting upgraded. Emphasis has been on ANG because they had the $$$ for upgrades. Block 40/50 will get the bulk of the love in addition to AGCAS and MIDS-JTRS. No idea about Eielson and Homestead. Those planes are butt old without hope. APG-68 is a low MTBF money sucker that USAF will happily see go. APG-68(V9) makes FMS cry. You'll see a big push for AESA there soon.

Funny, the article posted earlier noted 72 sets were installed on jets at nine ANG bases. Easy math says that's eight per base. What about the rest?

Not sure how accurate this is but this is amazing if true:

All told, Rossi said that it only takes a day and a half to swap in a new AN/APG-83 on an F-16.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/new-radars-are-giving-old-air-force-f-16s-capabilities-like-never-before

Yay! Good for NG. Hopefully they've planned a good software pipeline for updates.

The company also pitched an entirely new cockpit configuration with a single large digital multi-function display as one feature of a proposed advanced Viper for India, dubbed the F-21, back in 2019.

Elbit display looks pretty sweet. Raytheon CDU is a disaster. No spares and no support. Like putting a square peg in a butt hole.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $88,241,950 firm-fixed-price modification (P00067) to contract FA8615-17-C-6047 for Air Force F-16 aircraft Active Electronically Scanned Array radars. This modification is for the exercise of options to include 31 production radars, as well as associated spares. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed July 31, 2025. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,217,979,978. Fiscal 2020 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $2,034,480; fiscal 2021 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $2,034,480; and fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $84,172,990.00 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-17-C-6047 P00067).

Well, they're on their way to converting all USAF to AESA. No word on converting FMS but the countries with the deepest pockets will dive in first (Taiwan is done. Who wants to buy a used APG-66 set?).

There's been no word on supporting the new system. Software will probably be NG/LM and parts will come from strictly from NG. Not even depot looks like it'll get a sniff. Welcome to "One Level" maintenance! Let's see how that goes...

Published Sept. 7, 2022
By Tech. Sgt. Maeson L. Elleman
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --

The 480th Fighter Squadron is now the first active-duty Air Force F-16CM fighter squadron to bring their fleet of fighter jets into a new era of aerial dominance with the completion of its active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system upgrades.

“Providing this capability on an already time- and combat-proven aircraft adds another layer to U.S. Air Force capabilities in an ever-evolving electronic warfare environment,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. “I know this upgrade will make us even more effective in our day-to-day combat operations, and I look forward to bringing the F-16 even further into the future of air superiority.”

This capability provides the fourth-generation multirole fighter jets a massive leap in combat capabilities, making pilots even more effective than ever before, while improving air defenses and overall aircraft survivability when faced with enemy forces.

--

https://www.spangdahlem.af.mil/News/Art ... sa-radars/

This was no run-of-the-mill part swap, though. The parts were not only sophisticated; they were interwoven throughout the aircraft. Additionally, maintenance to replace the aging systems was so extensive, the aircraft maintenance specialists and Airmen had more than 200 operational checks to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the upgraded jets and their pilots. “It’s undergone some pretty deep maintenance,” Dequeant said. “They’ve stripped it to the studs and replaced it with upgrades.”

So much for a "Plug and Play" installation. Spang block 50s are done. Aviano is probably in work. Hope PACAF gets some joy sometime soon!

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $26,448,240 firm-fixed-price modification (P00072) to previously awarded contract FA8615-17-C-6047 for Active Electronically Scanned Array radars of Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification is for the exercise of an option to include 13 production radars. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed July 31, 2025. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,244,428,218. Fiscal 2022 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $26,448,240 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.

So unit cost of those radars is about 2 million USD. Doesn't sound bad at all given the improvements in performance and maintenance.

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum Heights, Maryland, has been awarded a $99,365,970 firm-fixed-price modification (P00076) to previously awarded contract FA8615-17-C-6047 for Active Electronically Scanned Array radars of Air Force F-16 aircraft. This modification is for the exercise of options including 42 production radars, one initial spare kit, and two readiness spare kits. Work will be performed in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, and is expected to be completed by July 31, 2025. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $1,346,043,651. Fiscal 2023 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $99,365,970 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Nov. 18, 2022)

Published Dec. 27, 2022
By Audra Flanagan
148th Fighter Wing

DULUTH, Minn. -- Nine Block 50 F-16CM Fighting Falcons from the 148th Fighter Wing received the new active electronical scanned array (AESA) radar that allows pilots to "find targets in the air and on the ground more easily," said Maj. Michael Kuzmuk, Chief of Wing Weapons for the 148th Fighter Wing.

"The new AESA radars are a huge leap in technology that will make the F-16more lethal and survivable against potential near peer threats," said Col. Nathan Aysta, 148th Fighter Wing Commander.

The 148th Fighter Wing is a multi-purposed Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD/DEAD) and a NORAD Aerospace Control Alert-trained (ACA) flying Air National Guard unit located in Duluth, Minnesota. The 148th is one of five F-16 SEAD/DEAD units in the entire U.S. Air Force and one of two SEAD/DEAD units in the Air National Guard.


https://www.ang.af.mil/Media/Article-Di ... -airpower/