AN/APG-70

AN/APG-70. The AN/APG-70 is a multi-mode, pulse-Doppler radar system developed for the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle family of air superiority fighters. As the successor to the AN/APG-63 radar, it introduced significant improvements in air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, featuring enhanced electronic counter-countermeasures and greater reliability. Its advanced synthetic aperture radar mode provided unprecedented ground-mapping resolution, making it a critical sensor for the F-15E Strike Eagle and later models of the F-15C/D.

Development and Background

The development of the AN/APG-70 was initiated by the United States Air Force to address limitations identified in the original AN/APG-63 radar during operational service. Primary contractor Raytheon leveraged lessons from programs like the AN/APG-65 used on the F/A-18 Hornet and advancements in very-large-scale integration technology. A key driver was the requirement for the new F-15E Strike Eagle dual-role fighter, which demanded a radar capable of high-resolution terrain following and precise ground moving target indication for interdiction missions. The program faced challenges integrating new signal processing hardware within the existing avionics architecture of the F-15 airframe, but it achieved initial operational capability in the late 1980s.

Technical Specifications

Operating in the X band, the AN/APG-70 utilizes a planar array antenna and features multiple pulse repetition frequency modes for optimal performance in look-down, shoot-down scenarios against low-flying targets. Its most notable advancement was a high-resolution synthetic aperture radar mode, capable of generating photographic-quality ground maps for weapon targeting and navigation. The system incorporated programmable signal processor technology, allowing for software updates to counter new threats, a feature heavily utilized during operations like Operation Desert Storm. Compared to the AN/APG-63, it offered improved detection range, better reliability through reduced parts count, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasures against jamming from systems like those fielded by the Soviet Air Force.

Operational History

The AN/APG-70 entered service with the F-15E Strike Eagle units of Tactical Air Command and saw extensive combat use during the Gulf War, where its air-to-ground modes proved invaluable for precision-guided munition delivery. F-15C Eagles equipped with the radar, such as those from the 1st Fighter Wing, used its enhanced beyond-visual-range capabilities to maintain air superiority. The system was also deployed in later conflicts including the Kosovo War and operations over Iraq and Afghanistan, supporting Coalition forces with surveillance and targeting. Its performance cemented the F-15's reputation, influencing subsequent radar designs for aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and international fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Variants and Upgrades

The primary variant was the standard AN/APG-70 fitted to the F-15E and late-model F-15C/D aircraft. A significant upgrade program, often referred to in the context of the F-15I Ra'am for Israel and the F-15S for Saudi Arabia, involved improved computer memory and processing speeds. These evolutionary steps directly informed the development of its successor, the AN/APG-82(V)1 radar, which combines the antenna of the AN/APG-79 with the backend of the AN/APG-70. Other related developments include the AN/APG-63(V)1 and AN/APG-63(V)3 radars, which incorporated technology from the AN/APG-70 into updated F-15 airframes.

See also

* AN/APG-63 * AN/APG-82 * F-15E Strike Eagle * Pulse-Doppler radar * Synthetic-aperture radar

Category:Avionics of the United States Category:Fire-control radars Category:Raytheon