Raytheon has conducted another live-fire test of its Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), demonstrating its ability to detect and engage a “complex target.”
The demonstration, witnessed by military officials from seven countries, showed the advanced radar effectively tracking a cruise missile surrogate flying at high altitude and speed.
The LTAMDS then relayed track data to an Integrated Battle Command System and guided a Patriot missile to intercept the target.
According to Raytheon President of Land & Air Defense Systems Tom Laliberty, the successful trial reflects the radar’s ability to outpace emerging global threats.
“The solid performance of the radar against these complex and realistic threats validates the radar’s design and demonstrates how this capability will transform the air and missile defense mission,” he said.
The test was the fourth live-fire demonstration of the LTAMDS.
‘Designed for Next-Gen Threats’
Developed for the US Army, the LTAMDS is a 360-degree, active electronically scanned array radar powered by Gallium Nitride.
It is designed to defeat advanced and next-generation threats, including manned and unmanned aircraft and hypersonic weapons.
The platform has three antennas – one on the front and two on the back – to ensure that no threats go unseen in any direction.
Raytheon said the LTAMDS also achieved significant developmental milestones last year, including in October when it was tested against simulated and real-world threats to evaluate its operational capability.
The radar is expected to undergo more rigorous testing, leading to its fielding later this year.
