Elizabeth Leigh
Northrop Grumman has launched an active electronically scanned array radar it built for the B-1B Lancer bomber of the U.S. Air Force under the Radar Modernization Improvement Program.
The company said Wednesday it designed the Scalable Agile Beam Radar – Global Strike AESA system to generate digital maps and advanced images to support B-1B bombers’ reconnaissance, intelligence and surveillance operations in different weather conditions.
Paul Kalafos, vice president of Northrop’s surveillance systems business unit, said SABR-GS AESA technology works to help the Air Force achieve cost savings and extend the capability of the B-1B aircraft to two more decades.
Northrop unveiled the SABR-GS radar system during the 30th anniversary reunion of the B-1 Bomber Association held from April 29 to May 3 at the Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.
Northrop developed the technology to replace the APQ-164 radar antenna onboard all B-1 bombers under a $21 million contract it secured from the Air Force B-1 Systems Program Office in 2011.
