AN/ASQ-236 Dragon's Eye

The AN/ASQ-236 Dragon's Eye radar pod is an advanced tactical surveillance system utilizing Ku band Airborne Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar technology. This sophisticated pod offers a range of capabilities including high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mapping for surveillance and target detection, precise geo-location capabilities against fixed, moving, and maritime targets in all weather conditions, and comprehensive bomb impact assessment analysis.

One of its key features is its three-position, large field of regard, which complements the fixed field of regard of the aircraft's nose radar. Developed by Northrop Grumman, the Dragon's Eye pod incorporates advanced radar modes shared across the company's enterprise of 5th generation fighter radars, ensuring cutting-edge performance.

Currently operational on the U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle, the AN/ASQ-236 Dragon's Eye pod is set to become operational on Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command F-16s. The pod is a self-contained system comprising an antenna, inertial navigation system, and environmental cooling system. Its antenna is mounted on a positioner plate, allowing movement along the roll axis.

Designed for reliability and ease of maintenance, the pod features a fully automated built-in-test (BIT) system that provides health status indications to operators and maintenance crews. This BIT capability enables fault isolation down to the line-replaceable module level, ensuring high system availability.

Versatile in its application, the AN/ASQ-236 pod can integrate with both large and fighter-sized platforms. Northrop Grumman has previously demonstrated its integration on an Air Force Special Operations Command AC-130 and a proof of concept demonstration on the Air Force Global Strike Command B-52.

In service and in production. Development is believed to have been initiated in the late 1990s. It was first deployed in June 2009.

Information concerning the design, development, and production of the ASQ-236 is classified.

The Air National Guard flew the AN/ASQ-236 Dragon’s Eye Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar pod on an operational F-16 for the first time on Nov. 18, 2021.

Northrop Grumman, Virginia, USA

USA
   Air Force                (F-15E)
   Air National Guard       (F-16)

 WEIGHTS 
   Total        1,000 lb (454 kg)

 DIMENSION 
   Length       10 ft 8 in (3.3 m)
   Diameter      2 ft 5 in (0.5 m)