Boeing

The U.S. Air Force has begun deploying the APG-63(v)1 radar - a Boeing-installed system that greatly improves radar performance and reliability - to its operational F-15 units.

Last month the Air Force's 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia became the first unit to receive a production (v)1 system.

The (v)1 is an upgrade to the out-of-production Raytheon APG-63 and APG-70 radars. The upgrade includes a new transmitter, receiver, data processor, low-voltage power supply and signal data converter. It provides a 10-fold increase in radar reliability while increasing system capacity for future growth.

"The (v)1 program provides F-15s with world-leading radar capabilities," said Bruce Glaser, engineering lead for Boeing F-15 programs. "The Air Force, Boeing and Raytheon are working to ensure that today's F-15 crews, and those that will fly the airplane years from now, have what they need to maintain the airplane's unequalled combat performance and air superiority."

Boeing, which builds the F-15 in St. Louis, is responsible for installing the (v)1 components, which are primarily supplied by Raytheon. Boeing has integrated virtually all subsystems on the F-15 since the aircraft entered production.

At least 170 U.S. Air Force F-15s are expected to receive the (v)1 upgrade. The (v)1 is the world's newest operational radar. Other nations that now operate F-15s are also interested in upgrading to this system.

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