Technology Advances Allow Multiple Role Radar Design for the F/A-18

Airborne electronics technology has advanced to a point that allows multiple role design in tactical airborne radars. The Navy's F/A-18 aircraft will incorporate the AN/APG-65 multimode radar, one of the first systems designed from conception for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. A trace through the technology developments is necessary to understand the recent feasibility of a multimission radar system. The development of the magnetron was the beginning link, while the development of the programmable signal processor was the final link in technology required to make a multimode radar.