Canadian Hornets to receive improved radar
RCAF CF-18 Hornet aircraft. (Photo: RCAF)
Raytheon is to provide 36 AN/APG-79(V)4 AESA radar systems for installation on Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CF-18A Hornet fighter aircraft, under a deal involving $140.37 million in FMS funding.
‘Additionally, this modification provides supplies and support to include software, obsolescence management, engineering support and associated technical, financial, and administrative data in support of [the] AN/APG-79(V)4 radar integration effort,’ the DoD announced on 20 September.
Work will be performed at four US locations for completion by March 2024.
Naval Air Systems Command issued the contract.
The USMC selected the APG-79(V)4 radar in January 2019 to upgrade the capabilities of its F/A-18C/D Hornet fleet.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, this scaled version of the APG-79 shares 90% parts commonality with the original version of the AESA system that equips the USN Super Hornet fleet.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
NHI’s NH90: Europe’s multirole helicopter strives to maintain relevance (updated 2026)
Developed in response to NATO’s needs, NHIndustries’ NH90 remains a cornerstone of European and Middle Eastern fleets – with upgrades planned to extend and improve the capabilities of the versatile and capable platform.
-
April Drone Digest: Why militaries are rethinking high-end drones
From France to Romania, there has been a clear shift away from expensive, vulnerable MALE UAVs in April towards lower-cost, expendable systems. Hard lessons from Ukraine and Iran have driven this shift.
-
Bundeswehr launches loitering munition spending spree with $2.16 billion unassigned
After months of delays, Rheinmetall has inked a €300 million deal with Germany for its FV-014 drone this week as part of a wider framework contract worth €2.4 billion for loitering munition procurement. Shephard looks at how the as-yet-unawarded funds could be spent.
-
Can laser-guided rockets and light aircraft help tackle the CUAS cost-curve?
While the move to integrate lower-cost missiles onto more combat aircraft is long overdue, there is also an opportunity for cheaper turboprop platforms to perform CUAS roles.
-
Industry makes strides on CCA programme as USAF makes nearly $1 billion funding request
Anduril’s YFQ-44A has successfully undergone USAF experimental testing for Increment 1, while an engine has officially been selected for Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A – a potential candidate for Increment 2 of the air force’s CCA programme.