Northrop Grumman has delivered its 1,000th Scalable Agile Beam Radar (AN/APG-83/SABR), accelerating modernization of F-16 fleets worldwide. The AESA-derived radar—built on lessons from the F-22 and F-35—significantly improves pilot situational awareness and threat handling. The U.S. Air Force is also advancing the Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, which could be fielded on F-16s by 2028, helping extend the jet’s operational life into the 2030s and 2040s.
Northrop Reaches 1,000th SABR Delivery, Upgrading the 'Critical Eyes' of F-16 Fleets
An F-16 maneuvers during an airshow in Goshen, Indiana, on July 10. Photo: Steven Cardo/DVIDS
Northrop Grumman has delivered its 1,000th Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR), formally designated the AN/APG-83, as the company continues to retrofit the advanced radar into F-16 fighters around the world.
Why It Matters
Incremental upgrades such as SABR are helping to future-proof the venerable Lockheed Martin–built F-16, improving pilot situational awareness, threat detection and mission flexibility so the jet can remain operational well into the 2030s and 2040s.
Driving The News
Northrop announced in May that it reached the 1,000-unit milestone. The AN/APG-83 draws technology and design lessons from radar systems aboard the F-22 and F-35, bringing advanced active electronically scanned array (AESA) capabilities to legacy fighters.
At the same time, the U.S. Air Force is progressing with Northrop’s Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, a defensive package that could begin fielding on some F-16s as soon as 2028.
Expert Perspective
"On a fighter aircraft, the radar is the critical eyes of the fighter pilot," said Mike Minahan, a vice president in Northrop's mission-systems sector. "Pilots flying F-16s upgraded with SABR can multitask, manage a heavier workload and address far more simultaneous threats."
Wider Context
More than two dozen countries operate F-16 variants. With upgrades such as SABR and modern electronic warfare suites, upgraded F-16s are expected to remain relevant and effective into the 2030s and 2040s. The aircraft has been used in operations including Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury.
Bottom Line
"The SABR production line is cranking away as we speak," Minahan said. While there are a finite number of F-16 airframes, Northrop sees a substantial addressable market to sustain production and retrofit programs.
Go deeper: Lockheed was selected to supply F-16 sensors for Taiwan.
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