Raytheon to provide radar avionics for U.S. and allied P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Radar experts at the Raytheon Co. is providing the U.S. and allied navies with 12 advanced airborne radar systems for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., have announced a $39.7 million order to the Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems segment in McKinney, Texas, to provide 12 AN/APY-10 radar production kits for U.S., United Kingdom, and Norway P-8A aircraft.
The U.S. Navy will receive three radar kits, the United Kingdom will receive four, and Norway will receive five kits, which are for P-8A lot 10 production aircraft. The order also includes support services.
The P-8A is a specially hardened and reinforced version of the Boeing 737-800 passenger jet, and is designed to operate either at extremely low altitudes or at high altitudes over the ocean to search for potentially hostile submarines. The P-8A is designed to withstand the rigors of low-altitude turbulence and exposure to salt spray.
The Poseidon is replacing the P-3 Orion for long-range maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft is equipped with modern avionics, anti-ship missiles, sophisticated torpedoes, sonobuoys, radar, and signals-intelligence gear. The Navy plans to buy 117 P-8As to replace its P-3 fleet.
The Raytheon AN/APY-10 maritime, littoral and overland surveillance radar is a relatively new design for the P-8A. Compared with the previous-generation AN/APS-137 radar, the AN/APY-10 has reduced size, weight and power (SWaP); additional target track capability, a new color weather avoidance mode, and room for technology growth, Raytheon officials say.
The AN/APY-10 is integrated into the Boeing mission control and display system aboard the Poseidon for control, display and data distribution. The radar also will provide ultra-high-resolution imaging modes for maritime and overland operations.
The radar fits in the nose of the Poseidon. On this order Raytheon will do the work in McKinney, Texas; Andover and Chelmsford, Mass.; Woodland Park, N.J.; Little Falls, N.J.; San Carlos, Calif.; Black Mountain, N.C.; Etobicoke, Ontario; Ashburn, Va.; Simsbury, Conn.; and Clearwater, Fla., and should be finished by September 2022.
For more information contact Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems online at www.raytheon.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
Ready to make a purchase? Search the Military & Aerospace Electronics Buyer's Guide for companies, new products, press releases, and videos
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
