SABR (Scalable Agile Beam Radar) APG-83 AESA

AESA fire control radar displayed in lab

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.

More about Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)

two military men standing next to radar installed in aircraft in hanger

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.

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employee installing radar to nose of aircraft

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

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AESA fire control radars lined up in manufacturing facility

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.

Download SABR Datasheet