Problem with the APG-65 was that radar tracking range against a small fighter (say MiG-21) was less than AMRAAM range. the F/A-18A-D was limited by its radar. ISTR tracking range (NOT detection range) was 40 nm.
APG-73 (later F/A-18C/D from May 94, early E/F) increased range by 7-20%. The problem above remained.
APG-79 (later E/F from Sep 06) range is variously as 2-3 times APG-73 (resolution is 3-5 times).
IAPR 5, page 60 gives 100 nm+
AW&ST (15 Oct 07) gives 100-125 nm against ‘a tactical target’ (this would be a small fighter)
AW&ST (& Feb 2000) gives 70 nm TRACKING range vs 1m2 target. APG-79 radar tracking range is finally greater than AIM-120D missile range against a small fighter.
It has LD/SD, SAR, ISAR, NCTR. I have yet to see a reference for an LPI mode.
Future upgrades are planned to add near APG-81/F-35 modes such as cueing the radar from ALR-67(v)3, integrating IRST to radar, combined SAR/GMTI mode (can detect and ID multiple moving tgts), electronic attack (the much hyped jamming mode), electronic protection (nulls standoff jammers) and electronic support (emitter location).
The cross fusion on the F/A-18E/F already allows the radar to cue ATFLIR, ability for F/A-18F pilot to use air to air modes the same time as the WSO uses SAR mode.
If we take the detection range as 120 nm and use the 40 nm tracking range there’s the x3 range.
Zhuk MA is given as 70 nm vs 3m2 compared with APG-79 ~100 nm vs 1m2 (detection ranges!)
(1/3)^0.25 = 0.76
(3/1)^0.25 = 1.32
EDIT: If they are using 5m2 as per ZIL’s post – (1/5)^0.25 = 0.67
Zhuk-MA detects 3m2 at 70 nm and 1m2 at 53nm – this is supposedly the ‘FGA29’ demonstrator
APG-79 detects 3m2 at 132 nm and 1m2 at 100 nm (~roughly the 100-125 nm figure above).
Zhuke AE (FGA35) – supposedly intended MiG-35 radar is 108 nm vs 3m2, which gives is 82 nm vs 1m2
India’s MiG-29K have the Zhuk M1E (Mechanical array), with the MiG-29UPG receiving the Zhuk M2E (as M1E with NCTR). They are claiming 70 nm vs ‘fighter’ (see Zhuk-MA above).
BTW Air International December 1993 gives the E/F RCS requirement as 1.19m2.
Sign In
