TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 30, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S.
Missile Defense Agency has awarded Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) a
contract modification to develop a transition to production process
to incorporate Gallium Nitride, or GaN, components into existing
and future AN/TPY-2 radars. This initial effort will support the
transition from Gallium Arsenide to GaN technology, which would
further modernize the ballistic missile defense radar and drive
down system obsolescence.
As demonstrated in other Raytheon-developed military radar
applications, Gallium Nitride has the capability to enhance range,
increase detection and discrimination performance and lower
production costs.
Currently fielded AN/TPY-2 radars use Gallium Arsenide (GaAs)
based transmit/receive modules to emit high power radiation.
Raytheon and MDA are pursuing a retrofit approach to leverage
Gallium Nitride elements.
"GaN components have significant, proven advantages when
compared to the previous generation GaAs technology," said
Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice
president of the Integrated Defense Systems Mission Systems and
Sensors business area. "Through this effort, Raytheon will develop
a clear modernization upgrade path for the AN/TPY-2 radar, enabling
the system to better defend people and critical assets against
ballistic missile threats at home and abroad."
The AN/TPY-2 is a transportable X-band radar that protects
civilians and infrastructure in the U.S., deployed military
personnel, and allied nations and security partners from the
growing ballistic missile threat. According to recent Congressional
testimony by the director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the
threat is growing as potential adversaries acquire a greater number
of ballistic missiles, increase their range, incorporate
countermeasures and make them more complex, survivable, reliable
and accurate.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees, is
a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil
government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of
innovation spanning 94 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.
Media Contact
Ian
Davis
+1.978.858.4135
idspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company