AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR)
Providing Generations of Aircraft with Advanced AESA Capabilities
The AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR) is an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) fire control radar (FCR). It incorporates advanced technology and capabilities from Northrop Grumman’s family of fifth generation radars including the AN/APG-77 on the F-22 and the AN/APG-81 on the F-35.
SABR was developed to provide the F-16 and other legacy platforms with a cost-efficient AESA modernization option, ensuring fleets remain operationally viable and sustainable for decades to come. Designed with a modular architecture and scalability in mind, SABR can be easily installed and integrated on a wide variety of aircraft with minimal modifications.
Maintaining Operational Relevancy in Highly Contested Environments
To remain relevant in the increasingly lethal and evolving multi-dimensional battlespace, fourth generation platforms need modernized systems, to include advanced AESA sensors.
With SABR, operators can better detect, track, identify and engage a greater number of targets faster, more accurately and at longer ranges compared to mechanically scanned radars. Its electronically scanned beams, processing power and highly advanced modes provide aircrews with improved mission effectiveness, survivability and situational awareness.
The multi-dimensional battlespace has also created complex challenges where aircrews are required to quickly adapt and operate across domains. SABR’s low size, weight and power (low-SWaP) further enhances agility and performance, allowing effective operations in various mission scenarios while ensuring no compromise in capabilities.
Capability Enhancements
SABR provides a wide range of mission-critical capabilities including:
- Autonomous, all-environment, stand-off precision targeting
- Large area, high-definition Synthetic Aperture Radar capabilities (“BIG SAR”)
- Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI)
- Highly accurate targeting coordinate generation
- Greater target detection and tracking range
- Faster search and target acquisition
- Smaller target detection
- Multi-target tracking
- Robust air-to-air and air-to-ground electronic protection
- Enhanced combat identification
- Expanded weapons support
- Advanced integration with electronic warfare systems
- Interleaved mode operations for greater situational awareness
- Advanced maritime modes
- Three-to-five times greater reliability and availability than mechanically scanned systems
Combat-Proven and Mission Ready
SABR is the U.S. Air Force Program of Record radar for the F-16V upgrade program. It’s also the baseline radar for new F-16 Block 70s and F-16V upgrades for all international customers.
With over 750 radars delivered to date and more on order, SABR will provide U.S., allied and partner F-16s with advanced, combat-proven capabilities to fly, fight and win for many years to come.
Media Inquires
Tori Prestianni
Tori.Prestianni@ngc.com
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.