Raytheon’s Space and Airborne Systems has delivered the first APY-10 multi-mission radar to Boeing for installation in the P-8I maritime patrol aircraft for the Indian Navy. The company is under contract to deliver eight sets.

Although it shares a common designation with the radar being used in the U.S. Navy’s P-8A Poseidon, the Indian APY-10 incorporates new modes. “The Indian government had different requirements [from the U.S. Navy],” said Tim Carey, Raytheon’s vice president, ISR systems. “It’s specifically customized for their needs.”

One of the two principal elements of the adaptation is the addition of an interleaved weather/surface search radar mode, which allows the flight crew to access weather-avoidance information while the radar is also performing its surveillance mission.

A second requirement is for an air-to-air capability to exploit the aircraft’s typically high operating altitudes. “India is interested in the air picture from high altitude,” said Carey. “We’ve adapted the waveform to give that capability.” Details of the kind of air-to-air capability that can be achieved have not been revealed. Adapting the APY-10 for its extra duties has involved changes in the data- and signal-processors, and some alterations to the actual antenna. Mounted in the lower nose of the P-8, the radar has a forward scan over a 240-deg sector.

These developments have aroused interest among other potential customers. The P-8 is being marketed to a number of countries, and is one of the likely competitors for a forthcoming Singapore maritime patrol requirement.

Raytheon sees a growing market for maritime patrol radars, notably in the Middle East/North Africa and Asia Pacific regions. As well as its APY-10 and SeaVue radars, it is also now marketing signals intelligence systems following the acquisition of Applied Signal Technology. The Pegasus is an electronic intelligence system being offered for smaller aircraft and large UAV applications, while the Titan is a Comint system applicable to larger platforms.