,
BALTIMORE: Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract to provide its advanced AN/APG-68(V)9 airborne fire control radar capability for a total of 52 F-16 fighter aircraft for the Pakistan Air Force.
The contract, awarded by the U.S. Air Force, valued at $49.75 million, calls for the manufacture and installation of the radars on 18 new F-16 Block 52+ aircraft with retrofit kits for 34 existing F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft. Delivery of the first radar systems will commence in 2008.
The contract also includes options to equip up to 44 additional F-16 aircraft with the AN/APG-68(V)9 radar capability. This would involve the manufacture of complete radar systems for 18 new F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, with retrofit kits for an additional 26 F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft.
The newest version of the F-16 radar, Northrop Grumman's AN/APG-68(V)9, features a high resolution synthetic aperture radar capability and provides the F-16 with extended air-to-air detection range, increased reliability and lower support costs.
“Today's combat and peace keeping operations require very precise air-to-ground strike capability,” said Katie A. Gray, vice president of F-16 sensor systems at Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector. “The Pakistan Air Force will not only employ state-of-the-art fire control radar capability for both air-to-ground and air-to-air superiority, but will also benefit from the cost savings associated with F-16 fleet radar commonality across all of their new F-16s and existing F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft.”
To date, over 450 APG-68(V)9 radars have been ordered by eight different countries, with over 300 radars delivered for integration and installation in new F-16 Block 52+ aircraft, for retrofit into F-16 C/D aircraft and for retrofit into F-16 A/B aircraft.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
