Advancing Aerial Warfare: The Evolution and Impact of the AN/APG-81 AESA Radar System

The AN/APG-81 radar system represents a significant advancement in aerial combat technology, designed specifically for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. As an active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire-control radar, it is the product of a competitive effort to secure the largest AESA acquisition contract by the US government.

Developed through a collaboration between Westinghouse Electronic Systems and Hughes Aircraft, which were later acquired by Northrop Grumman and Raytheon respectively, the AN/APG-81 was born out of the Multifunction Integrated RF System/Multifunction Array (MIRFS/MFA) initiative started in February 1996. The selection of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman as the winners of the Joint Strike Fighter competition led to the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract, marking a pivotal moment in the radar’s history on 26 October 2001.

The AN/APG-81 is a direct descendant of the F-22’s AN/APG-77 radar, sharing its air-to-air capabilities while also introducing advanced air-to-ground functionalities. These include high-resolution mapping, tracking of multiple ground-moving targets, combat identification, electronic warfare, and ultra-high bandwidth communications. The F-22’s radar, starting from Lot 5 aircraft, incorporates the APG-77(V)1 variant, which heavily utilizes the hardware and software of the APG-81 to enhance its air-to-ground capabilities.

The radar system’s first flight took place in August 2005 aboard Northrop Grumman’s BAC 1–11 test aircraft, accumulating over 300 flight hours by 2010. Its integration into the F-35’s mission systems was demonstrated during the Northern Edge 2009 military exercise, where it showcased its robust electronic warfare capabilities. On 22 June 2010, the radar successfully tracked long-range targets during the first mission systems test flights of the F-35 Lightning II BF-4 aircraft, meeting and exceeding its performance objectives.

Recognition of the AN/APG-81 team’s efforts came with the 2010 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award, highlighting their performance against jammers. However, the radar system is set to be succeeded by the AN/APG-85 on Block 4 F-35s, as reported in January 2023, following its mention in a budgetary document in December 2022.

The AN/APG-81’s expected production run beyond 2035, with orders surpassing three thousand units, including significant international demand, underscores its importance in modern aerial warfare and its role in shaping the future of combat aircraft technology.