To clarify, while the AN/APG-85 radar is said to be larger than the AN/APG-81, the main driver for needing a redesigned fuselage is not solely a significant increase in physical size that simply won't fit. The primary reason behind the APG-85 necessitating fuselage modifications likely stems from several factors related to its advanced capabilities:
- Improved Performance and New Technologies: The AN/APG-85 is designed for increased performance, particularly in air superiority missions, and incorporates new technologies to achieve this.
- Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology: The AN/APG-85 is expected to utilize Gallium Nitride (GaN) transmit/receive modules, offering greater power density and potentially different cooling and mounting requirements compared to the AN/APG-81's Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) modules. While GaN can lead to smaller and more powerful radars in some applications, it might also necessitate changes in the radar's physical integration within the F-35's structure due to factors like power output and heat dissipation.
- Mitigation of Potential Delays: The proposed redesign of the F-35's forward fuselage aims to allow for the installation of either the AN/APG-81 or the AN/APG-85, potentially to alleviate potential delays associated with the integration of the newer radar, which might be facing unforeseen integration challenges.
- Air Superiority Focus: The AN/APG-85 is described as being specifically aimed at enhancing the F-35's air superiority capabilities, suggesting it may possess features or components optimized for this role, according to Military Watch Magazine. This could translate into a different physical configuration or internal requirements.
In essence, the APG-85's enhanced capabilities and the utilization of new technologies like GaN necessitate adjustments to the F-35's fuselage to ensure proper integration and performance.
