AN/APG-68


The AN/APG-68 radar is a long range pulse-Doppler radar designed by Westinghouse to replace the AN/APG-66 radar in the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The AN/APG-68 radar was itself to be replaced on US Air Force F-16C/D Fighting Falcon Block 40/42 and 50/52 by the AN/APG-83 AESA radar.
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, the "AN/APG-68" designation represents the 68th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar fire-control equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.

Description

The AN/APG-68 is an improvement to the AN/APG-66 used on the F-16A/B. The AN/APG-688 and earlier versions of the radar system consists of the following line-replaceable units:
The AN/APG-689 version consists of the following line-replaceable units:
The APG-689 is the latest development of the radar. Besides the increase in scan range compared to the previous version, it has a synthetic aperture radar capability.
The APG-689 has equipped several exported F-16 variants, including the Egyptian Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Chilean Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Turkish Air Force, Royal Moroccan Air Force, Greek Air Force, Pakistan Air Force, Polish Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, and Indonesian Air Force.

Specifications

  • Frequency: Starting Envelope frequency around
  • Under AIS Testing as high as
  • Max Detection Range :
  • Search cone: 120 × 120 degrees
  • Azimuth angular coverage: ±10 degrees / ±30 degrees / ±60 degrees
  • Programmable Signal Processor - The core radar component which is responsible for signal processing, frequency selection, signal digitization for B-Scope display. The PSP is controlled through the F-16 Heads Down Display Set or what is commonly called the Multi-Function Displays. The PSP is directed by the system operational flight program, which is controlled and modified for new threats or addition radar system requirements. The PSP also contains all the control circuitry for radar air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weaponry operational scan patterns and SAR/ISAR operation.
  • Modular Low Powered Radio Frequency - The signal generator for the radar system. Frequency generation is dependent on the random frequency selection from the radar tables within the PSP upon system start-up. The MLPRF generates a small amount of RF Drive, which is sent to the Dual Mode Transmitter, where it is amplified and a small RF sample is sent to the MLPRF for comparison checksum. The MLPRF is also responsible for receiving radar returns, generating the RF injection noise, and the processed RF within the MLPRF is then later sent to the PSP for video processing and threat/target matching against the radar threat tables within the PSP, prior to flightcrew system display.
  • Dual Mode Transmitter - A 24,000 volt radar transmitter, containing a TWT, which generates the amplified RF to be sent to the radar antenna for system emission. The TWT operates by optical pulses received from the DMT's internal Pulse Decker Unit and TWT Cathode/Anode voltage inputs.
  • Antenna - A planar array antenna, which is constructed to receive RF data through a waveguide system. The transmitted and received pulses are controlled in time by the PMW radar design, and the waveguide duplexer assembly. Internal to the antenna are Uniphaser Assemblies, Phase Shifters and gimbalized motor control for antenna positioning and position correction.