Raytheon’s gallium nitride-based AESA Patriot radar completes key milestone

Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 19, 2017:  Raytheon Company’s [NYSE: RTN] newest integrated air and missile defence radar, a proposed Gallium Nitride-powered Active Electronically Scanned Array upgrade to the Patriot Air and Missile Defense radar achieved a major milestone.  

During a recent series of tests involving fighter aircraft conducting tactical maneuvers, the GaN-based AESA prototype radar tracked and gathered fire-control quality data on the jets.  While this marked the first time the radar has engaged maneuvering fighter jets, the radar has already tracked and targeted thousands of non-tactically maneuvering aircraft.

 “Our proposed GaN-based AESA Patriot radar enables 360-degree capability, reduces operating costs by 50%, improves Patriot’s high reliability and enhances Patriot’s capability,” said Ralph Acaba, vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. “This test is further proof that Raytheon’s proposed GaN-based AESA Patriot upgrade is ready to enter engineering and manufacturing and development.”

Raytheon first rolled out its GaN-based AESA prototype at the Winter Association of the US Army trade show in March, 2016. Prior to that, Raytheon demonstrated Patriot 360-degree capability with a smaller GaN-based AESA pilot array.

Raytheon’s proposed GaN-based AESA Patriot radar will work with the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System and other open architecture. It will retain backwards compatibility with the current Patriot Engagement Control Station and will maintain full interoperability with NATO.
A number of current and expected future Patriot Air and Missile Defense System partner nations in Europe and Asia have expressed interest in acquiring GaN-based AESA.  The GaN-based AESA technology also meets Germany’s requirements for the German Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem, or TLVS, tactical air and missile defence system.