Aircraft

Northrop Grumman Developing the Next Generation Radar for the F-35 Lightning II

2 MIN READ

January 11, 2023

TAGS: F-35, AESA (active electronically scanned array), Radars, Microelectronics

BALTIMORE – Jan. 11, 2023 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) is developing AN/APG-85, an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the F-35 Lightning II. Northrop Grumman currently manufactures the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar, the cornerstone to the F-35 Lightning II's sensor suite.

Northrop Grumman Developing the Next Generation Radar for the F-35 Lightning II
Northrop Grumman is developing the next generation radar for the F-35 Lightning II. Credit: Northrop Grumman

The AN/APG-85 is an advanced multifunction sensor that will be compatible with all variants of the F-35 aircraft and will be capable of defeating current and projected adversarial air and surface threats.

The development and integration of APG-85 will incorporate some of the latest technologies available and help ensure air superiority. This advanced sensor will provide unparalleled battlespace situational awareness that translates into platform lethality, effectiveness and survivability.

Northrop Grumman plays a key role in the development, modernization, sustainment and production of the F-35. In addition to producing the AN/APG-85 and AN/APG-81 radars, the company manufactures the center fuselage and wing skins for the aircraft, produces and maintains several sensor systems, avionics, mission systems and mission-planning software, pilot and maintainer training systems courseware, electronic warfare simulation test capability, and low-observable technologies.

American Manufacturing for Global Security

With nearly 100,000 employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space across America – more than 500 football fields – Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company leads the industry in digital design, manufacturing and modernization, saving time and cost by putting technology to the test and ensuring its reliability and survivability long before manufacturing occurs.

The company’s manufacturing approach does more than just produce; they accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing.

Northrop Grumman has invested billions of dollars in its workforce and supply chain and added over $13.5 billion in U.S. infrastructure and R&D to deliver today and tomorrow’s national security needs.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is a technology company, focused on global security and human discovery. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with capabilities they need to connect, advance and protect the U.S. and its allies. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 90,000 employees define possible every day.

Media Contact
Cindy Anderson
571-550-1814
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