Raytheon announced that its Advanced Combat Radar, or RACR, has completed a series of flight trials on an Air Force F-16 at Edwards AFB, Calif. The active electronically scanned array radar system executed a range of air-to-air and air-to-ground modes, stated the company. “Successfully flying RACR on an F-16 is another critical step in demonstrating how we’ve optimized our AESA technology for F-16 customers,” said Jim Hvizd, Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems’ vice president for international business development. RACR is a company-funded project. The company said it completed the system’s development in 24 months. “Raytheon’s AESA technology brings unparalleled capability and reliability to the F-16 at an acquisition cost comparable to the old mechanically scanned radars,” said Brian MacDonald, RACR program manager. Northrop Grumman is also offering an AESA system for the F-16 called the Scaleable Agile Beam Radar.
The U.S. began extensive air and artillery strikes against Islamic State group targets in Syria on Dec. 19 in retaliation for the killing of three Americans on Dec. 13 by a gunman affiliated with ISIS, U.S. officials said.
