Raytheon targets first two buyers for new F-16 radar

By Stephen Trimble

Raytheon has been cleared to start discussions with at least two potential buyers for a radar system in development primarily for Lockheed Martin F-16s and Boeing F/A-18s.

The US government requires US defence contractors to apply for licences before they are allowed to brief customers about potentially sensitive technologies.

The Raytheon Advanced Combat Radar (RACR), which shares about 90% of its components with the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's current sensor, has received "at least" two such licences, the company says.

Raytheon declines to identify any of the countries approved to receive briefings about RACR.

It is known, however, that the company proposed the active electronically scanned array (AESA) design for South Korea's Lockheed KF-16 fleet during October's Seoul air show. Raytheon officials also visited Greece at the same time to give a briefing on its radar capabilities. The Greek air force has ordered about 170
F-16s.

Raytheon is still on track to install the first production-representative RACR system aboard an F-16 and perform a series of flight tests during the first half of 2010.

A tri-service committee approved a new policy earlier this year allowing both Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to export scaled-down versions of AESA radars originally developed for the Super Hornet, Lockheed F-22 and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Northrop is offering a design dubbed the scalable agile beam radar.

Both companies are focusing on the export market to launch sales, but ultimately are also seeking to attract retrofit orders for older-model US Air Force F-16s and US Navy F/A-18s.