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Raytheon to begin production planning for AN/TPY-2 radars

By Ryan Maass
Company officials say the modifications aim to modernize AN/TPY-2 missile defense radars, and drive down obsolescence. Photo courtesy of Raytheon.
Company officials say the modifications aim to modernize AN/TPY-2 missile defense radars, and drive down obsolescence. Photo courtesy of Raytheon.

TEWKSBURY, Mass., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Raytheon will begin incorporating Gallium Nitride components for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's existing and future AN/TPY-2 radars.

The alterations are set to begin following a contract modification that tasks Raytheon with transitioning the radars away from Gallium Arsenide technology. Company officials say the modifications aim to modernize missile defense radars, and drive down obsolescence.

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"GaN components have significant, proven advantages when compared to the previous generation GaAs technology," Raytheon's Dave Gulla said in a press release. "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."

Currently, AN/TPY-2 radars use Gallium Arsenide components to transmit high power radiation. Gallium Nitride technologies are designed to perform the same tasks more efficiently.

AN/TPY-2 radars are used by warfighters to scan the skies for ballistic missile threats using complex computer algorithms. The devices are capable of discriminating between incoming warheads and non-threats, such as countermeasures. The radars can be deployed for use in enemy territory, and can also be integrated with missile defense systems such as THAAD interceptors.

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