Raytheon to provide advanced imaging radar systems aboard German P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – Radar experts at Raytheon Technologies Corp. are providing the government of Germany with five advanced airborne radar systems for the Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare aircraft under terms of a $77 million order announced in February.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., are asking the Raytheon Intelligence & Space segment in McKinney, Texas, to provide five AN/APY-10 radar system production kits.
The order includes non-recurring engineering to address obsolescence issues within the AN/APY-10's receiver exciter processors and radar data centers for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft for Germany.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 capabilities, 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, Mass.; Clearwater and St. Petersburg, Fla.; Black Mountain, N.C.; Philadelphia; and other U.S. locations, and should be finished by October 2027.
For more information contact Raytheon Intelligence & Space online at www.rtx.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
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John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.