There are a few fighter types out there which will be around long enough to justify radar upgrades, & a smaller market for new radars for MPAs, helicopters, etc. I thought it’d be interesting to discuss the options.
F-16: There are a lot of F-16s that could benefit from a radar upgrade. AFAIK three AESA radars have been put on the market aimed at F-16 retrofits: RACR & SABR, & Selex has shown a Vixen variant with an antenna sized for an F-16 nose.
The only active competitions in this market I know of are Taiwan & S. Korea, both of which are currently looking at upgrading F-16s with either RACR or SABR. I’ve not heard of any possible Vixen F-16 customers.
Who else might be in the market for AESAs for their F-16s? Might Elta get into the market?
F-18: I think that F-18A-Ds are probably not going to get AESA upgrades.
F-15: The USAF is upgrading its ‘Golden Eagles’, & the Saudis are negotiating over an AESA upgrade of their F-15Es. What other F-15 customers might do the same?
Mirage 2000 – ditto. There are some with enough life left, but I’m not aware of anyone marketing such an upgrade.
Typhoons & Rafales with original radars could get AESA upgrades, but I think this will depend on budgets. The Saudis may well opt for it.
Gripen is interesting. The Raven radar for the NG can be fitted to current Gripens, so it’s a possibility for upgrades for current operators & any Gripens sold secondhand.
Others
What others? MiGs? Su-27/30? What else?
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October 29, 2011 at 1:13 am