Raytheon has announced the successful maiden flight test of its next-generation PhantomStrike radar, a milestone that propels the system closer to production and operational deployment.
Mounted on the company’s Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, the radar tracked multiple airborne threats and produced high-resolution terrain maps throughout the flight.
“This test demonstrates how PhantomStrike can make enhanced situational awareness available to a broader set of our partners and allies — offering unparalleled performance,” said Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products and Solutions division at Raytheon.
PhantomStrike will be manufactured in Mississippi, Arizona, and Scotland, with support from Raytheon UK.
A Leaner Radar
PhantomStrike departs from conventional radar designs by using an air-cooled system rather than the typical liquid-cooling infrastructure.
This shift simplifies integration and cuts down on size and weight — two of the biggest hurdles in outfitting smaller platforms.
Weighing in at under 150 pounds (68 kilograms), the radar is designed for light-attack aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters, offering long-range threat detection in a compact form.
Raytheon said the system delivers capabilities comparable to modern active electronically scanned array radars at nearly half the cost and weight.
“The threat environment is evolving,” Rosselli noted. “This next-generation radar dramatically changes how we identify and respond to threats.”
In 2023, Raytheon partnered with Korea Aerospace Industries to integrate PhantomStrike into the FA-50 light fighter.
