Raytheon's B-2 AESA Radar Successfully Completes Major T/R Module Milestone

Raytheon's AN/APQ-181 radar for the B-2 "Spirit" stealth bomber, now being upgraded to include a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) antenna, has successfully completed a production readiness review (PRR) for the transmit/receive (T/R) module at the heart of the array.

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) is the principal subcontractor on the B-2 Radar Modernization Program (RMP) for prime contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation.

Each antenna requires more than 2,000 of the two-channel modules, making them the single largest investment for the system. The modules are now fully qualified with zero failures in the qualification test program, and Raytheon has demonstrated its ability to mass produce them at an affordable cost.

To achieve PRR, Raytheon's T/R module design for the B-2 AESA completed qualification testing on schedule. The testing proved the modules could perform in extreme temperatures, vibration and shock. Throughout the testing, critical functions of the T/R modules evaluated were successful with no need for rework or retest. More than 40 pilot production T/R modules had been produced through the end of August. The pilot modules are demonstrating greater transmit and receive performance than required at a lower weight and cost. At the end September, approximately 500 production modules were in process or complete.

"The B-2 T/R modules are a tremendous successful story for this program. They are cheaper, faster and better than we ever anticipated and are providing a strong foundation for the B-2 radar modernization program," said Rob Dorr, Northrop Grumman program manager for the Radar Modernization Program.

"This milestone proves Raytheon has the design and manufacturing expertise to produce a reliable active array for the B-2," said Raytheon SAS vice president Erv Grau. "The B-2 is another success story in the Raytheon family of AESAs that is also expanding mission effectiveness for the F-15 and F/A-18 aircraft."

The new antenna will preserve legacy system radar performance and improve reliability, and will make future growth easier.

Completion of PRR was required before the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase could begin. The Milestone B decision authorizing SDD was signed on August 17, 2004; in September Raytheon received a $194 million contract from Northrop Grumman.

The B-2 Radar Modernization Program began with a study that defined two alternatives the government could pursue to provide improvements in radio frequency usage between the B-2 and commercial systems. The Air Force chose the AESA option because of its inherent reliability and growth potential.

Total value of the B-2 RMP to Raytheon, including the remaining development work and a future production contract, is expected to be approximately $600 million. The majority of the radar work will be performed in El Segundo (CA) and Dallas (TX).

FMI: www.raytheon.com