The US Air Force has increased its order for modern F-16 radars through a new $16.7-million contract with Northrop Grumman.
Under the agreement, Northrop will supply an undisclosed number of APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars for installation on the fourth-generation aircraft.
Production and integration will take place in Maryland, with an expected completion date of May 2031.
In April, the company also received a $56-million order for the same AESA radars to enhance the capabilities of the F-16s.
The latest deal brings the total value of F-16 radar contracts to $1.6 billion.
5th Generation Fighter Radar Capability
In 2017, Lockheed Martin selected Northrop’s APG-83 as the new radar for upgraded F-16 jets used by the US Air Force and Taiwan.
The radar can detect, track, and identify multiple targets simultaneously in hostile electronic warfare environments.
The company claims that its APG-83 is an advanced system suitable for jets as modern as fifth-generation aircraft.
It features a target detection and tracking range of 65 nautical miles (120 kilometers) and faster search and target acquisition.
In addition to the F-16s, the Northrop radar is also installed on the US Marine Corps’ F/A-18C Hornet fighter aircraft.