Operational Flexibility: Allows warfighters to adapt quickly to changing threats and mission needs.
The next generation in radars
Raytheon’s Advanced Technology business is developing next-generation radar technology through software-defined apertures, offering unmatched operational flexibility and cost savings. Software-defined apertures can transform a single piece of hardware into a multi-mission system, allowing for real-time reprogramming. Raytheon leads the development of flexible radar systems that maximize existing investments and stay ahead of adversarial advancements.
Software-defined aperture benefits
Cost-Effective Upgrades: Enable software updates that add new capabilities without replacing entire systems, saving money.
Multi-Mission Capability: A single system can switch between different functions, reducing the need for multiple specialized pieces of equipment.
Rapid Response: Facilitates faster adaptation to new threats through reprogramming and information sharing between radars.
Multiple missions, flexible hardware
Software-defined apertures are a key component of next-generation radar technology. These advanced radar systems can be reprogrammed in real time to perform multiple missions, such as detecting targets, communicating and disabling enemy electronics. Our technology transforms a single piece of hardware into a flexible, multi-mission system, providing unprecedented operational flexibility for the military.
Communicate
Cooperate with multiple sensors to create a distributed web of coverage. Coordinate with interceptors to engage the threat.
Scan and track
Monitor any threat, including drones, ballistic missiles and even hypersonic threats.
Defend
Jam enemy systems and perform other types of electronic warfare with the radar’s own radio frequency power.
Situationally aware
Adjusts in response to weather, elevation and electromagnetic conditions by understanding its external environment.
Unlimited upgrades
Deployable in any domain for any mission, with flexible software that can be upgraded with new apps, similar to a smartphone.
Built for power and speed
Military-grade gallium nitride semiconductors optimize performance, conducting electrons more efficiently than silicon.
“Think of your hardware as a capability that is unlocked with software commands. You may have a radar that is capable of detecting slow low-flying drones and then with software commands you can reoptimize its configuration to detect fast high-flying ballistic missiles. Very different target sets, but we can leverage the power and flexibility of our radar hardware baseline to stay ahead of the threat by upgrading performance through safe, secure software only upgrades.”
Matt Tyhach
Mission Area Director, Raytheon Advanced Technology
“It is not technology for technology’s sake. It’s technology to get capability to the field, and I think we’re all very passionate about that.”
From the Vision to the Mission
Raytheon Advanced Technology
Together with leading research and development organizations, defense agencies, peers and partners, we are creating ways to advance defense.
Fueling the Future of Defense
Raytheon Advanced Technology
At a seaside site in Rhode Island, specialized labs help Raytheon’s Advanced Technology business test underwater innovations.
Simulating the Sea
Raytheon Advanced Technology
From the atomic level through assembly, radar development starts with Raytheon's Advanced Technology business in Andover, Mass.
Where Radars are Born
Raytheon Advanced Technology