Raytheon needed design and fabrication of fight test units to support the need of the US Air Force and multiple foreign militaries for an electronically scanned active array radar for existing F-16 aircraft. In addition to a multi-role capability, the new system needed to be more reliable and cost effective than the system it was replacing. Since there was intense competition on this product, the time to market was about half of that normally required to develop a new aircraft radar system.

Ducommun value proposition/solution:

Because of our performance on other platforms, Raytheon selected Ducommun LaBarge Technologies (DLT) to support their manufacturing requirements. Ducommun LaBarge Technologies' Phoenix site Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) team worked closely with Raytheon development engineers to design and manufacture the initial flight test units. Since time was of the essence, DLT engineers were assigned to work with Raytheon as a member of the integrated product team (IPT) and participate in all design reviews with their customer. The concept was to support a rapid transition from design to production that leveraged other full-rate production lines that were in place.

Outcome/benefits:

The DLT approach not only resulted in schedule improvements but provided significant cost savings as well during this phase. The end result was system development that occurred within 24 months and successful completion of flight trials on a US Air Force F-16 at Edwards Air Force base, California.

As part of the agreement to work with Raytheon on the development of this system, Ducommun was awarded the opportunity to enter into a Long Term Agreement (LTA) for the manufacture of this product. While the new RACR system is being competed against the incumbents, Raytheon’s reputation to produce proven capable and reliable combat radars should give them a significant edge in both domestic and FMS opportunities. They also have the advantage of commonality to F/A-18 and F-15 aircraft, helping to give them additional cost saving potential. Production deliveries are planned to begin in CY2012 and extend through CY2020.