Both AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) and JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) live fire tests were completed according to plan. Both performed well within the operational specifications. These are critical development milestones, as they test the end-to-end air-to-air missile delivery sequence and end-to-end air-to-ground synthetic aperture (SAR) targeting capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

"The reliability of the APG-79 coupled with the outstanding performance we are getting during the various test phases of our AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar illustrates Raytheon's commitment to providing mission assurance to our customers," said Erv Grau, vice president of Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. "We want our customers to know that when they use Raytheon technology, they are using the best, most reliable and most advanced technology in the world."

This series of live fire flight tests prove out the radar's air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capabilities. The AMRAAM engages long-range targets after launch by incorporating targeting data from the APG-79 AESA. During flight the AMRAAM receives updated tracking/targeting information from the APG-79 AESA radar via data link from the launch aircraft. With AESA, engagements are from far greater distances with capabilities against multiple targets, giving the operators a significant tactical advantage.

This series of live fire flight tests prove out the radar's air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capabilities. The AMRAAM engages long-range targets after launch by incorporating targeting data from the APG-79 AESA. During flight the AMRAAM receives updated tracking/ targeting information from the APG-79 AESA radar via data link from the launch aircraft. With AESA, engagements are from far greater distances with capabilities against multiple targets, giving the operators a significant tactical advantage.

The JDAM "Smart Weapon" uses the APG-79 AESA radar to provide precise targeting coordinates. The pilot uses a high resolution SAR (synthetic aperture radar) image to identify the intended target. The target is designated from the image; the target coordinates are passed to the JDAM weapon; the weapon is released and flies under GPS navigation to impact, thus completing the kill chain. Prior to the introduction of the APG-79 radar, it has only been possible for pre-mission planned ground targets to be attacked. Now, with the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) APG-79, real time, time sensitive ground targets can be identified and engaged.

"Tests such as these are fundamental elements of the continuous spiral development that's a cornerstone of the Super Hornet," said Chris Chadwick, vice president for the F/A-18 program for Boeing. "This demonstrates the unbelievable potential of the new AESA-equipped Block II Super Hornet."

The APG-79 radar is currently in developmental flight testing and initial operational assessment. The program is expected to transition into OPEVAL (operational evaluation) on schedule early next year.

The live fire success follows hot on the heels of a recent multi-year contract award worth $580 million with The Boeing Company. The five year production contract for the APG-79 system successfully concluded negotiations for 190 radars from low rate initial production lots 3 and 4 through full rate production lots 1-3.

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