by Staff Writers
El Segundo CA (SPX) May 27, 2009

Raytheon has been awarded a $54 million U.S. Navy contract to retrofit Super Hornet block II aircraft with APG-79 active electronically scanned array radars.

The award by the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., calls for APG-79 AESA radars to be retrofitted into lots 26 to 29 of the F/A-18E/F aircraft.

The units will replace the APG-73 radars currently installed in the aircraft, ensuring that pilots and aircrews are equipped with the most advanced technology available.

"Raytheon's reliable, high-performance radar systems provide an affordable means for fleets to optimize fighter capabilities," said Tom Kennedy, vice president for Tactical Airborne Systems.

"The added reliability and maintainability of the APG-79 result in lower life-cycle costs and enhanced capabilities for the Navy."

Raytheon has delivered 134 AESA radars to the Navy for the Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. With this latest contract, orders for the retrofit of the 133 block II F/A-18s now total 38.

Work on the retrofit program will be performed in Forest, Miss.; Dallas; El Segundo; and Andover, Mass., and is expected to be completed in December 2010.