Raytheon to provide Marines with radar upgrade

The U.S. Marine Corps recently selected Raytheon Co. to equip its F/A-18C/D classic Hornet fleet with radar technology.

Raytheon will provide its APG-79(v)4 AESA radar, a scaled version of the APG-79 AESA used by the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force. The APG-79(v)4 shares more than 90 percent commonality with the APG-79, and uses the same global sustainment and upgrade path.

The APG-79(v)4 offers improved radar reliability and targeting capabilities, reduced maintenance hours and increased availability for flight.

“With AESA radars, fighter jet pilots and crews tip the scales in their favor over their adversaries,” Eric Ditmars, vice president of Raytheon Secure Sensor Solutions, said. “Now that the APG-79(v)4 is slated to fly on the classic Hornet, Marine Corps pilots will be able to identify, track and engage more targets over a greater distance than ever before.”

Deliveries will begin next year and will be completed by 2022.

Raytheon also recently was awarded a $9.3 million contract to provide the U.S. Navy engineering services for the Aegis Spy-1 radar and Mk 99 fire control system.

The majority of the work will be completed in Yorktown, Va., and the remainder will be completed in various locations.

The project will be completed by January 2021.