New radar on the way for F-35

[Dawes]

Guess it's about time:

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-developing-the-next-generation-radar-for-the-f-35-lightning-ii

[Chazzer]

10 hours ago, Dawes said:

Guess it's about time:

https://news.northropgrumman.com/news/releases/northrop-grumman-developing-the-next-generation-radar-for-the-f-35-lightning-ii

Very Intersting. Nothing wrong with the APG-81, getting a little old granted.

Do we know how far back in the production LOTs one can go to still get the new APG-85?

 

TIA

Chazza

[Dawes]

This will be fitted to Lot 17 and later aircraft. You would think that it would be available as a retrofit to earlier F-35's.

[shep854]

15 minutes ago, Dawes said:

This will be fitted to Lot 17 and later aircraft. You would think that it would be available as a retrofit to earlier F-35's.

That's what the article says.

Edited January 14, 2023 by shep854

[Josh]

11 hours ago, Chazzer said:

Very Intersting. Nothing wrong with the APG-81, getting a little old granted.

Do we know how far back in the production LOTs one can go to still get the new APG-85?

 

TIA

Chazza

At least as far back as 15 from what I remember. I think the new radar depends on having the Tech Refresh 3 processor, and different organizations seem to be updating different lot numbers to that standard. USMC apparently going all the way to Lot 5 with their 35Bs.

 

EDIT: I think lot 17 is when APG-85 gets installed; I think TR3 is required for the ‘85 to be fitted to existing APG-81 aircraft.

Edited January 14, 2023 by Josh

[Chazzer]

Thank you.

I believe this is the reason why the UK has waited till recently to aquire a further 48? F35B's.

 

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

Partly. The other reason is we are broke.