The F-35 joint strike fighter’s AN/APG-81 radar’s electronic protection capabilities have been tested during a US joint military exercise.
The Northrop-built active electronically-scanned array radar was tested onboard Northrop’s BAC 1-11 test aircraft where it successfully countered advanced electronic attacks that degrade, neutralise or destroy friendly combat capability.
Northrop Grumman programme manager for F-35 requirements, improvements and derivatives Pete Bartos said that the advanced fighter fire control radar was validated through a scale of scenarios exceeding typical developmental or operational test programme requirements.
“In the past, typical EP testing consisted of a few sorties versus a single or maybe two jammers at once. This test was unique in that it included flights versus multiple types of advanced jammers on several aircraft formations at once,” Bartos said.
