The AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) is a full-performance active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and other aircraft developed by Northrop Grumman.[1] In a 2013 competition, Lockheed Martin selected SABR as the AESA radar for the F-16 modernization and update programs of the United States Air Force and Republic of China Air Force.[2]
| Country of origin | USA |
|---|---|
| Type | AESA airborne radar |
| Frequency | Starting Envelope frequency around 20 GHz |
| Range | 370 km, 230 miles |
| Azimuth | ±10 degrees / ± 30 degrees / ± 60 degrees |
The capabilities of this advanced AESA are derived from the F-22's AN/APG-77 and the F-35's AN/APG-81. It is designed to fit F-16 aircraft with no structural, power or cooling modifications.[3] The SABR is scalable to fit other aircraft platforms and mission areas.[citation needed]
In 2010, a SABR was installed on a USAF F-16 at Edwards AFB and flew 17 consecutive demonstration sorties without cooling or stability issues.[4]
In addition to equipping F-16V for Taiwan and other US allies, US Air Force also selected APG-83 SABR to upgrade 72 of its Air National Guard F-16s.[5]
In January 2014, Singapore ordered 70 AN/APG-83 SABR for its 60 F-16C/D/G+ Block 52 upgrade, in a $2.43 billion deal.[6][7][8]
At August 2018, Northrop Grumman conducted an APG-83 fit test on an F-18.[9]
A derivative of the AN/APG-83, the SABR-GS (Global Strike), will be fitted to the Rockwell B-1 Lancer beginning in 2016.[10][11][12]
In February 2019, Northrop Grumman offered SABR for retrofitting Boeing B-52H Stratofortress, which currently uses mechanically scanning AN/APQ-166 attack radar.[13] In July 2019, Boeing selected AN/APG-82(V)1/(AN/APG-79) from Raytheon for its B-52H radar modernization program.[14]
Northrop Grumman to offer SABR radar for Seoul's FA-50 Block 20 fighter.[15][16]
The US Air Force is installing the AN/APG-83 SABR on 608 of its F-16C/D Block 40/42 and F-16C/D 50/52 fighters.[17][18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Corporation, Northrop Grumman. "Northrop Grumman's Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) to Help Extend Viability of U.S. Air Force F-16s Beyond 2025". PR Newswire. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Selects Northrop Grumman's Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) for the F-16 AESA Radar Upgrade Program.". 31 July 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
- ^ "APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) AESA for the F-16 and Legacy Aircraft". Northrop Grumman. Archived from the original on 17 March 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Northrop Grumman Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR)".
- ^ "United States Air Force Selects the Northrop Grumman APG-83 SABR for F-16 AESA Radar Upgrade". Northrop Grumman Newsroom. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Donald, David. "U.S. Air Force Orders AESA Radar for F-16s". Aviation International News. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Singapore - F-16 Block 52 Upgrade | Defense Security Cooperation Agency". www.dsca.mil. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ Julie Songer (13 August 2018). "Northrop Grumman Performs Successful SABR Fit-Check on F/A-18C Fighter at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar | Northrop Grumman". News.northropgrumman.com. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Peck, Michael (8 August 2017). "B-1 to get new radar". C4ISRNET. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ "Northrop Grumman Corporation - News Releases". Globenewswire.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- ^ "Scalable Agile Beam Radar - Global Strike (SABR-GS) AESA for the B-1B". Northrop Grumman. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
- ^ Tyler Rogoway. Northrop Grumman Is Vying To Give B-52 Bomber A Game-Changing New Radar. The War Zone (Feb 26, 2019)
- ^ Vivienne Machi. Raytheon Wins Contract to Provide New AESA Radars to B-52 Aircraft. Defense Daily (July 11, 2019)
- ^ "ADEX 2021: KAI reveals more details about FA-50 upgrade plans".
- ^ "South Korea Launches KF-16 Fighter Upgrades Upended".
- ^ Hunter, Jamie. "USAF launches huge upgrade program for its F-16s". Skies Magazine. Retrieved 25 September 2022.
- ^ Leone, Dario. "USAF to Upgrade 608 F-16 fighter jets to V variant in Viper Fleet largest Modification Work in History". The Aviation Geek Club. Retrieved 25 September 2022.