TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Missile
Defense Agency (MDA) will soon have greater agility and capability
in its fleet of AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radars.
Raytheon has begun construction of two major sub-components of the
AN/TPY-2 under a $53 million contract
announced by the Department of Defense on Sept 2. The units
Raytheon is building will enable the MDA to rotate sub-components
out of the field to receive depot-level upgrades while keeping the
radars up and running.
AN/TPY-2 is a critical element of the Ballistic Missile Defense
System. It is a mobile X-band radar that is integral in
protecting civilians and infrastructure in the U.S., deployed
warfighters, and allied nations and security partners, from the
growing ballistic missile threat. U.S. intelligence agencies
estimate there are more than 6,300 ballistic missiles not
controlled by the U.S., NATO, China or Russia. That number is expected to reach
almost 8,000 by 2020.
"The AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar is a strategic
asset which helps protect the people and things that matter
24/7/365," said Raytheon's Dave
Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global
Integrated Sensors business area.
The two trailer-sized sub-components Raytheon is building are
the Electronic Equipment Unit (EEU) and the Cooling Equipment Unit
(CEU). The EEU contains the processors or "brains" of the
AN/TPY-2, with upgrades that enable the radar to more quickly and
accurately discriminate threats from non-threats, and enhance
performance during missile raids. The CEU keeps the radar operating
at the optimal temperature, and distributes power to the
system.
About AN/TPY-2
AN/TPY-2 is a high resolution,
mobile, rapidly deployable X-band radar capable of providing long
range acquisition, precision track, and discrimination of all
classes of ballistic missiles. The AN/TPY-2 may be deployed
globally in either terminal or forward-based mode.
The AN/TPY-2 radar has two modes. In forward-based mode, the
AN/TPY-2 cues the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), by
detecting, discriminating and tracking enemy ballistic missiles in
the ascent phase of flight. In terminal mode, it serves as the fire
control radar for the THAAD system.
- AN/TPY-2 has performed flawlessly in both terminal and
forward-based mode in all major tests.
- On Sept 10, 2013, two AN/TPY-2
radars – one terminal and one forward-based – achieved all test
objectives in FTO-01, the U.S. military's first operational test of
the Ballistic Missile Defense System.
- The forward-based AN/TPY-2 extended the battlespace during
FTM-15 by enabling a Standard Missile-3 to launch on remote and
intercept a separating Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile.
- Raytheon has delivered nine AN/TPY-2s to the Missile Defense
Agency. Some of those radars are currently helping defend the U.S.
and its allies in the European, Pacific and Central Command area of
responsibilities.
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. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com
and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Mike Nachshen
+1.520-269-5697
idspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company