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The Israeli
Soufa F-16I, and Hellenic F-16 Block 52s are equipped with the
latest version of Northrop Grumman APG-68 radar, the (V)9
multimode fire control radar that offers improved detection range
and resolution. Only the Block 60 aircraft, destined for the UAE,
are to be equipped with a more advanced version – the Active
Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. Initially, the Israelis
favored the local Elta EL/M-2032 fire control radar originally
developed for the IAI Lavi, but encountered financial and
political obstacles. The IAF decided to use an improved model of
the F-16 radar, and was involved in the specifications definition
phase of the new version. It was later been selected by most of
the latest acquisitions – by
Poland and
Greece. The new version uses new, Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS)
technology that provided faster processors that provide increased
throughput, with x5 faster processing speed and x10 growth in
memory capacity over the current version. With the powerful
processing capability, the new system has a high resistance to
electromagnetic interference and countermeasures and future growth
potential. The system offers new and improved capabilities in both
air/air and air/ground modes, primarily in the operation at long
range (BVR) and target rich airspace. The APG-68(V)9 offers 30
percent increase in detection range, improved search-while-track
mode (four vs. two tracked targets) and larger search volume and
improved track while scan performance. Its single target track
performance has also been improved.
On air/ground
missions, the new radar becomes an effective sensor, utilizing its
high-resolution synthetic aperture radar mode, which allows the
pilot to locate and recognize tactical ground targets from
considerable distances. Although previous radars had some
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities, the new version
generates imagery-class (2 feet resolution) high resolutions
pictures, comparable to pictures delivered by the most modern
commercial satellites. These pictures can be acquired from very
long range, at all weather conditions and provide an effective,
real-time source for the targeting of long range, precision guided
weapons. The radar also has increased detection range in sea
surveillance mode, and enhanced ground moving target
identification and mappinc capability. The radar features an
inertial measurement unit that improves dynamic tracking
performance and provides an auto-boresight capability, which
increases accuracy. |