AN/APG-66

The AN/APG-66 is a fire control radar used in several military aircraft, most notably the F-16 Fighting Falcon during its initial production runs and in export models. Developed by Westinghouse (later acquired by Northrop Grumman), it is an air-to-air and air-to-surface radar system operating in the X band. The AN/APG-66 is a pulse-Doppler radar, allowing it to detect and track targets while filtering out ground clutter, improving its performance in look-down shoot-down scenarios.

Key features of the AN/APG-66 include various operating modes for different combat situations, such as:

• Air-to-Air Modes: These modes are designed for detecting, tracking, and engaging aerial targets. They typically include search, track-while-scan, and single target track modes.
• Air-to-Ground Modes: These modes allow the radar to be used for navigation, ground mapping, and targeting ground-based targets.
• Navigation Modes: These modes use the radar to provide navigational information to the pilot.

While replaced in later F-16 versions by more advanced radar systems like the AN/APG-68 and AN/APG-83, the AN/APG-66 remains in service on numerous F-16s operated by various countries around the world. It has undergone several upgrades throughout its service life, improving its range, resolution, and overall performance. These upgrades have helped to extend its usability in modern combat environments. The radar's reliability and versatility contributed significantly to the F-16's success as a multirole fighter aircraft.