Type
J-band (10 to 20 GHz) multimode radar for the B-2 strategic bomber.

Development
Hughes (now part of Raytheon Electronic Systems) is reported to have begun work with Northrop (now
Northrop Grumman) in the early 1980s to develop radar concepts for what was then known as the
Advanced Technology Bomber. The prototype radar first flew in 1987 and the first AN/APQ-181
production contract was proposed in 1986, authorised in 1987 and fully negotiated in 1988. Ten
pre-production radars are understood to have been delivered during the early 1990s and the system is
thought to have been in full scale production by 1995.