World's most capable X-band ballistic missile defense radar upgrades to gallium nitride technology

From #Raytheon:

U.S. Missile Defense Agency taps Raytheon for AN/TPY-2 GaN upgrade

TEWKSBURY, Mass., April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Ballistic missiles will soon be easier to detect and defeat.  The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a $10 million contract modification to continue the development of hardware and software that will add gallium nitride, or GaN semiconductor technology to the AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar.

GaN increases the radar's range, search capabilities and enables the system to better discriminate between threats and non-threats. Gallium nitride technology also increases the system's overall reliability while maintaining production and operational costs.

"AN/TPY-2 is already the world's most capable land-based, X-band, ballistic missile defense radar," said Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice president of the Integrated Defense Systems Mission Systems and Sensors business area. "Adding GaN technology modernizes the system so it can defeat all classes of ballistic missiles in extreme operational environments."

The AN/TPY-2 is on pace to be the world's first transportable, land-based ballistic missile defense radar to use GaN technology. 

The AN/TPY-2 radar operates in two modes:

1. In forward-based mode, the radar is positioned near hostile territory, and detects, tracks and discriminates ballistic missiles shortly after they are launched.
2. In terminal mode, the radar detects, acquires, tracks and discriminates ballistic missiles as they descend to their target. The terminal mode AN/TPY-2 is the fire control radar for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense ballistic missile defense system, by guiding the THAAD missile to intercept a threat.

About GaN Raytheon has led development and innovative use of GaN for 19 years and has invested more than $200 million to get this latest technology into the hands of military members 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.

About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Public release approval: 17-MDA-9110 (27 March 17)

New electric gun for Phalanx® Close-In Weapon System passes first test

From #Raytheon:

Upgrade allows firing at varying rates, efficient use of ammunition

YUMA PROVING GROUND, Ariz., April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully tested a new electric gun for the Phalanx® Close-In Weapon System. The upgrade allows soldiers and sailors to fire at varying rates, which uses less ammunition.

Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. More than 890 systems have been built and deployed in navies around the world.

The goal of the live-fire test was to ensure the electric gun can operate despite the heavy vibrations that occur when Phalanx is fired. The new design replaces a pneumatic motor, compressor and storage tanks, reducing the system's weight by 180 pounds. These changes also increase reliability and reduce operating costs.

"Phalanx is a weapon of last resort and the electric gun's larger magazine will allow the U.S. and its allies to stay in the fight longer," said Rick McDonnell, director of Raytheon's Close-In Defense Solutions program."

This Raytheon-funded test is one part of a series of "tech refresh" projects for Phalanx.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5ITM products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter

US Navy, Raytheon generate Tomahawk missile flight plans in real time to strike time-sensitive targets

SAN NICOLAS ISLAND, Calif., Jan. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed two flight tests of the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile, demonstrating how missions can now be planned in real time to strike time-sensitive targets.

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2017-01-11-US-Navy-Raytheon-generate-Tomahawk-missile-flight-plans-in-real-time-to-strike-time-sensitive-targets

Standard Missile-6 approved for international sales

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Defense has approved the release of Raytheon Company's (NYSE: RTN) Standard Missile-6 to several international customers. Many of the approved countries are seeking the multi-mission SM-6 to bolster their shipbuilding programs.  

http://raytheon.mediaroom.com/2017-01-10-Standard-Missile-6-approved-for-international-sales