Raytheon Company demonstrated their successful prototyping of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) and Gallium Nitride (GaN) technologies into the US Patriot Air and Missile Defense System radar. 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 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."
Further expanded demonstrations are planned in the months ahead.
About GaN
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. Raytheon 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 of "8," the highest level obtained by any organization in the defense industry for this technology.
About Patriot
Patriot is the world's most modern and capable air and missile defense system, providing protection against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Continually upgraded and enhanced to reflect the latest technology, Patriot is the system of choice for 12 nations around the globe.
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.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.