AN/APG‑81 Radar

Full Specifications

AN/APG‑81 AESA Fire‑Control Radar

The AN/APG‑81 radar is the cutting‑edge eye in the nose of the F‑35 Lightning II, delivering world-class situational awareness and fire‑control capabilities that define fifth‑generation air superiority. Designed by Northrop Grumman, this active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar builds on decades of U.S. innovation to give the F‑35 a decisive edge in both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat.

Manufacturer, Origin & Purpose

Originating in the United States, the AN/APG‑81 was developed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems specifically for the Lockheed Martin F‑35 Lightning II program. Its purpose: to function as a multifunction fire‑control radar, as well as an electronic warfare (EW) sensor, seamlessly supporting air‑to‑air engagements, surface attack, reconnaissance, and suppression of enemy defenses.

Capabilities & Technology

The radar comprises approximately 1,676 transmit/receive modules, enabling agile beam steering and rapid mode switching. It supports long‑range detection (reported over 150 km) in active and passive modes. In air-to-air, it performs search‑while‑track (TWS), single-target tracking, and velocity-search, among other modes. On the ground, its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provides ultra-high-resolution mapping, while its ground moving target indicator (GMTI) tracks moving vehicles.

A signature strength of the AN/APG-81 is its integrated electronic warfare. It functions natively as an electronic support measures (ESM) receiver, a jammer (EA), and features electronic protection (EP) capabilities—all within the same AESA array. This gives the F‑35 an organic way to degrade enemy radars and air defenses.

Operational Use

First flown in 2005 aboard a Northrop Grumman test-bed and later integrated into F‑35s by 2010, the AN/APG-81 has logged hundreds of flight hours and proven its reliability and performance. The radar has earned acclaim for tracking long-range targets, performing high-resolution SAR, and resisting jamming.

It is deeply integrated into the F‑35’s sensor fusion architecture; radar data fuses with inputs from other systems (like the Distributed Aperture System) to give pilots a unified tactical picture.

AN/APG‑81 Radar Price

While the exact unit cost of the AN/APG‑81 radar is not publicly disclosed due to defense contracting sensitivities, it is part of the broader F‑35 avionics package. Its production has been scaled, with over 1,000 units delivered by Northrop Grumman as of recent years.

FAQs