Raytheon has received a contract from Boeing for the second procurement in the four-year Multi-Year III program to produce and deliver APG-79 active electronically scanned array radars for F/A-18 Super Hornet tactical aircraft.

The APG-79 AESA radar hardware has 10-15 times greater reliability compared to mechanically scanned array radars. This reliability and easy maintainability makes AESA radars more affordable over the service life of the unit.

"In addition to lower failure and maintenance rates, APG-79 AESA radars provide the U.S. Navy leading-edge technology for situational awareness," said Eric Ditmars, Raytheon's F/A-18 program director, Tactical Airborne Systems. "The long-range capability allows aircrews more time to process, share and assess information."

This procurement contract is for the production of 42 APG-79 AESA radars and will be completed at Raytheon facilities in El Segundo, Calif.; Andover, Mass.; Forest, Miss.; and Dallas, Texas.