Raytheon to build advanced radar systems for US Navy

The US Navy has chosen Raytheon Co. over Lockheed Martin Corp and Northrop Grumman Corp to build its new defense radar for use on Arleigh Burke destroyers in a contract valued at $1.6 billion.

For use with the Aegis combat system, the next-gen air and missile defense systems will be integrated with the existing AN/SPQ-9B X-band radar when officially put to use in 2016. Designs are set to outfit at least 22 naval ships; half being built at General Dynamics Corp.'s Bath Iron Works in Maine.

According to reports, the radar will be designed to detect long-range missiles. 

Though the initial design contract was worth $386 million, the optional deal to procure up to nine radars brings the value up.

LONGBOW LLC Receives $51 Million Contract for Republic of Korea Apache Radar Systems

The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, has received a $51 million foreign military sales contract to provide the Republic of Korea with LONGBOW Fire Control Radars (FCRs) for the AH-64E Apache attack helicopter.

The contract includes six LONGBOW FCR systems, spares and in-country support. Production is scheduled through 2016, with assembly of the LONGBOW FCR performed at Lockheed Martin’s Ocala and Orlando, Fla., facilities, and Northrop Grumman's Baltimore, Md., facility.

“The Republic of Korea is the 10th international customer for LONGBOW systems,” said Tom Eldredge, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The LONGBOW FCR is a battle-proven radar system that will provide Republic of Korea Apache pilots with increased situational awareness, survivability and lethality.”

“The LONGBOW FCR team will provide the Republic of Korea with a product that promotes greater regional security and provides warfighters with the highest level of protection while increasing the international Apache footprint,” said Mike Galletti, director of the Tactical Sensor Solutions-Aviation business unit for Northrop Grumman’s Land and Self Protection Systems Division.

Since 1998, LONGBOW FCR has provided Apache aircrews with target detection, location, classification and prioritization. In all weather, over multiple terrains and through any battlefield obscurant, the radar allows automatic and rapid multitarget engagement.

Source: Lockheed Martin Corporation

Northrop Begins Work on U.S./Taiwan F-16 AESA Radar Upgrade

Northrop Grumman expects to be under contract with Lockheed Martin shortly after being selected to supply the active, electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for an F-16 avionics upgrade under development for the U.S. Air Force and Taiwan.

Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (Capes) upgrade and was tasked by the Air Force with making the AESA source selection, selecting incumbent F-16 radar supplier Northrop Grumman over rival Raytheon.

Around 300 U.S. F-16C/Ds and 145 Taiwanese F-16A/Bs will be upgraded with Northrop’s Scaled Agile Beam radar (SABR), which is based on technology from the F-22’s APG-77(V)1 and F-35’s APG-81 AESAs.

‘Spy’ Radar Arrays Arrive in Adelaide

AN/SPY-1D(V) phased array radar for Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (all photos : Lockheed Martin)

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the arrival in Adelaide of the first two state of the art ‘SPY’ radar array faces that will be installed on the Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).

“The multi-function SPY radar is capable of search, automatic detection, tracking of air and surface targets and missile engagement support,” Mr Clare said.

“It works to distinguish signals from stationary or moving targets and to identify and reject ‘clutter’ such as clouds and flocks of birds.”

Lockheed Martin - Air and Missile Defense Radar S-Band (AMDR-S) Digital Array Radar

Lockheed Martin selected to demonstrate designs for next phase of Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar program.

A $119 million U.S. Navy contract, awarded Sept. 30, advances Lockheed Martin another step in the Navy's competition for the next generation naval radar system capable of defeating anti-ship and ballistic missile threats.
Currently, the Navy's Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) program is focused on developing and demonstrating an entirely new S-band radar and a scalable radar suite controller for multiple ship platforms, performing multiple missions, in the Fleet. The Navy began its AMDR program by awarding Lockheed Martin and two other contractors concept studies contracts in 2009. This new contract begins a 24-month technology demonstration phase, where Lockheed Martin and three other competitors now will show the Navy how their conceptual designs actually work.
"AMDR is an important program for Lockheed Martin and we are look forward to executing the technology demonstration phase contract. Our high performance radar suite is capable of supporting simultaneous, multi-mission operations in stressing environments while maintaining affordable lifecycle costs," said Carl Bannar, vice president of Radar Systems. "Our modular, open-architecture design for AMDR incorporates technologies matured through significant investment by our company and the Navy."
Lockheed Martin is a leader in S-band radar development and production, with more than 40 years of experience in the design, production and sustainment of naval radars for surface combatants. The company's SPY-1 family of radars -- with proven anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense multi-mission capability -- is fielded on nearly 100 surface combatants worldwide.

LONGBOW LLC Awarded $86 Million to Support and Sustain U.K. Apache Attack Helicopters

ORLANDO, FL, February 22nd, 2010 — The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, was recently awarded an $86 million contract from AgustaWestland to support LONGBOW FCR systems on the United Kingdom Apache AH Mk-1 aircraft.

“The LONGBOW FCR is an essential element of U.K. Apache operations in Afghanistan,” said Jerry Garman, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Through this partnership with AgustaWestland, we will ensure the highest operational availability and system reliability at the lowest sustainment cost”.

The four-year contract includes engineering services, integrated logistics and an in-country repair capability. Support services will continue through March 2014, and will be performed at Wattisham Airfield in the U.K.; Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL; and Northrop Grumman facilities in Baltimore, MD.

The contract is a component of the integrated operational support provided by AgustaWestland to the Ministry of Defence. A formal signing ceremony at the U.K. Apache main operating base at Wattisham Airfield in October marked the launch of this effort.

For more than a decade, the LONGBOW FCR has provided Apache aircrews with target detection, location, classification and prioritization. In all weather, over multiple terrains and through any battlefield obscurant, the radar allows automatic and rapid multi-target engagement. The LONGBOW FCR integrates with the M299 smart launcher and the LONGBOW HELLFIRE missile, enhancing the Apache’s lethality fourfold and increasing survivability sevenfold.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Source: Lockheed Martin