Raytheon [RTN] yesterday said it demonstrated the successful prototyping of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) technologies into the U.S. Patriot Air and Missile Defense System radar.
Further expanded demonstrations are planned in the months ahead.
Photo: Raytheon
In addition to enabling future 360 sensor coverage, these technologies will significantly increase the defended area and decrease the time to detect, discriminate and engage threats, the company said in a statement.
The introduction of GaN-based AESA technologies will also further improve reliability and lower the life-cycle costs for the Patriot radar, beyond what has already been achieved with other recent Patriot radar improvements.
“Raytheon is a leader in airborne, sea-based and ground-based radars and we continue to invest in research and development to further mature radar technology. GaN-based AESA technologies represent the future of ground-based sensors and will have future application to Raytheon’s entire sensor portfolio,” said Ralph Acaba, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon’s Integrated Defense Systems business. “Along with the Patriot radar, the entire Patriot system has kept pace with the latest technological advances to ensure over match against current and evolving threats. The Patriot that’s currently in production and fielded is the most advanced air and missile defense system available today.”
Raytheon has been leading the innovation and development of GaN for 15 years and has invested over $150 million to get this latest technology in the hands of the warfighter faster and at lower cost and risk, the company said.
It said it has demonstrated the maturity of the technology in a number of ways, including exceeding the reliability requirement for insertion into the production of military systems. This maturation of GaN resulted in a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) production capability 8, the highest level obtained by any organization in the defense industry for this technology, the company said.
Raytheon is the prime contractor for both domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.