Raytheon [RTN] upgraded the computer processor of the AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense (BMD) radar, which the company said would enable the system to perform better during raids and more quickly and accurately discriminate between threats and non-threats.
Dave Gulla, Raytheon vice president of global integrated sensors, said in a press release the state-of-the-art, commercially-available upgraded processor has five-times the processing power as the previous system. The new processor also weighs less, requires less power and occupies less space than the older system. Raytheon spokesman Michael Nachshen said Feb. 23 a Dell [DELL] processor replaces the old processor that was a majority Hewlett-Packard [HPQ] parts.
The upgraded processors are part of the radar’s electronic equipment unit (EEU), which along with the antenna, power plant and coolant comprise the radar’s main components, Nachshen said. Raytheon in September was awarded a $53 million contract to begin constructing the EEU and the cooling equipment unit (CEU). The CEU keeps the radar operating at the optimal temperature and also distributes power to the system, according to a company statement.
Raytheon delivered the first upgraded EEU to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) on Jan. 30, according to a company statement. Raytheon said MDA intends to replace the EEUs of fielded AN/TPY-2 radars with upgraded EEUs while upgrading older EEUs. Raytheon said the process will repeat until the EEUs of all 10 AN/TPY-2 radars in United States inventory are upgraded, ensuring constant coverage throughout the entire radar process. In addition to retro-fitting existing EEUs, new Raytheon-built radars for U.S. and international customers will include the upgrade.
The AN/TPY-2 is mobile X-band radar capable of providing long-range acquisition, precision track and discrimination of short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. The AN/TPY-2 may be deployed globally in either terminal or forward-based mode.
In terminal mode, the AN/TPY-2 serves as the search, detect, track, discrimination and fire control radar for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system, enabling the THAAD missile to intercept and destroy threats. In forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 cues the BMDS by detecting, discriminating and tracking enemy ballistic missiles in the ascent phase of flight.