AN/ALR-67

AN/ALR-67. The AN/ALR-67 is a sophisticated radar warning receiver system developed for tactical aircraft of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. It is designed to detect, identify, and prioritize radio frequency emissions from surface-to-air missile systems, anti-aircraft artillery, and airborne interceptors, providing critical situational awareness to aircrews. As a successor to systems like the AN/ALR-45, it has been a cornerstone of electronic warfare self-protection for decades, evolving through several major variants to counter advancing threats.

Overview

The primary function is to provide aircrews with a comprehensive tactical picture of the electromagnetic spectrum, alerting them to potentially hostile radar systems. It integrates with other onboard avionics, such as the AN/ALQ-126 countermeasures system and AN/APG-73 radar, to form a layered defensive suite. Operational aircraft equipped include the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the EA-6B Prowler. Its processing capabilities allow it to differentiate between various types of emitters, from early warning Soviet systems like the P-14 radar to modern fire-control radars associated with platforms like the S-300 missile system.

Development and variants

Development was initiated by the Naval Air Systems Command in the early 1970s to replace the AN/ALR-45 and AN/ALR-50 systems. The original production model, the AN/ALR-67(V)1, entered service around 1977, first deployed on the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. The significantly enhanced AN/ALR-67(V)2 variant followed, introducing digital signal processing and improved capability against pulse-Doppler radar threats, becoming standard on later F-14D Super Tomcat and F/A-18 models. The latest generation, the AN/ALR-67(V)3, developed by Raytheon, represents a radical upgrade with a radar receiver and integrated countermeasures system, designed for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler to counter modern threats like the SA-21 Growler.

Technical description

The system comprises four major line-replaceable units: an antenna system, a receiver, a processor, and a cockpit control unit. Its antenna array, typically installed on the aircraft's nose, tail, and wingtips, provides 360-degree coverage. The receiver section uses crystal video receiver and superheterodyne receiver technology to handle a wide frequency range. Advanced processing, particularly in the (V)3 variant, employs field-programmable gate array technology for high-speed signal analysis. It interfaces directly with onboard chaff and flare dispensers like the AN/ALE-47 and can cue directional infrared countermeasures systems.

Operational history

It has been a vital component of United States naval aviation through numerous conflicts, providing protection during operations like the Gulf War and the Iraq War. During Operation Desert Storm, systems aboard F/A-18s and F-14s were crucial in detecting emissions from Iraqi SA-6 Gainful and SA-8 Gecko batteries. The system saw continuous upgrades in response to lessons learned from the Balkans conflict and later during Operation Enduring Freedom. The introduction of the (V)3 variant was driven by the evolving integrated air defense systems encountered in potential theaters of operation against near-peer adversaries.

Users

The primary operator remains the United States Navy, which fields the system across its carrier air wings on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and EA-18G Growler. The United States Marine Corps employs it on its fleet of F/A-18 aircraft. While developed for American use, the system has also been integrated onto aircraft operated by close allies under foreign military sales programs. These international users include the Royal Australian Air Force for its F/A-18A/B Hornet fleet and the Swiss Air Force for its F/A-18C/Ds, though these often feature specific configuration variants tailored to regional threat environments.

Category:Radar warning receivers Category:Avionics of the United States Category:Raytheon