Northrop Grumman unveils B-1 AESA radar

Northrop Grumman has unveiled an AESA radar system for the B-1 bomber, to replace the APQ-164 currently used. Called Scalable Agile Beam Radar-Global Strike (SABR-GS), the new radar is a derivative of the AN/APG-83 SABR developed for the F-16, although three times larger.

If the program gets the go ahead, SABR-GS will give the B-1 unprecedented situational awareness. It will allow the aircraft to perform ISR, as well as targeting, and have an open architecture system that will allow future upgrades, and integrate data from other sensors.

LINTHICUM, Md.Northrop Grumman Corp. engineers unveiled the Scalable Agile Beam Radar – Global Strike (SABR-GS), which will be used for the U.S. Air Force's B-1B Lancer. The SABR-GS, multi-function, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, was developed as an affordable, low risk radar retrofit solution.

The announcement was made at the 30th Anniversary B-1 Reunion held at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

The new radar has advanced operational capabilities and provides greater system reliability than the older passive ESA. Is large synthetic aperture radar maps, advanced image processing, and its sensor integration enable a situational awareness advantages and provide the aircraft with intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, (ISR) and targeting capabilities. Northrop Grumman engineers also leveraged open architecture standards to integrate data from other onboard sensors.

mil-embedded.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58

So when are they stuffing the rotary launchers with a few dozen amraams to turn the B-1 into an air-superiority "sky battleship"?

a reply to: Barnalby

They still have to put the AESA in first.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Hey, don't rain on my "aegis cruiser with wings" parade!

a reply to: Barnalby

I rain on everyone's parade.

a reply to: Barnalby

Battleships cant turn and burn like a Bone can, they move almost like a huge fighter. Empty and showing off at an airshow they appear to anyways.

When those versions come out would they be a different build B-1 or will the currently upgrading Bones be adaptable? For example have a load out of AAMs and air to surface weapons and have a self escorting high speed penetration aircraft. Then with a similar radar switch between the two just like an F-16 can switch between air and ground.

Nice !

no specifications ?

a reply to: Zaphod58


funny i was just talking about mission trucks and drones and the F-35 a few days ago. Glad to see the bone getting some A2A ability I'm shocked it took this long radar or not.

a reply to: penroc3

It won't be used for A2A, but to improve all around mission capability. It will have a SAR feature to see ground targets, better TFR, etc.

a reply to: Zaphod58



AMRAAMS? or did i just make that up in my head?

a reply to: penroc3

You just made that up in your head. There is no plan to give the B-1 an air to air role.

a reply to: penroc3

Lol. You've been watching History channels "dog fights" haven't you.

a reply to: Zaphod58



lol to much time in the sun i think, it would be cool to give the B-1 some A2A ability but i guess maybe the drones coming down the pipe will be able to do that for them. or maybe a laser in the bay.



Sammamishman: lol perhaps....i'm more of a wings guy anyway. Discovery should have kept that going.

Hi guys,

I'm sure that the "proposed" Boeing B1R had an air to air role. I'll see if i can find the linkage

RAB

a reply to: RAB

The B-1R did. This is just a very necessary radar upgrade. The -1R won't go past the paper stage. It would pull too much money from other necessary programs.

Hi guys, I'm sure that the "proposed" Boeing B1R had an air to air role. I'll see if i can find the linkage RAB

Well the Brits did it with the Vulcan..