Raytheon Says U.S. Allies May Buy Advanced Ballistic Missile Defense Radar

(RTTNews) - US defense contractor Raytheon Co. (RTN) Monday announced that the U.S. government has authorized several U.S. allies and security partners to potentially purchase via Foreign Military Sales the Raytheon-made AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar, for use in forward-based mode.

In forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 is positioned near hostile territory and acquires ballistic missiles in the boost phase of flight shortly after they are launched. The radar then tracks and discriminates the threat, and passes critical information required by decision makers and missile defense warfare systems through a command and control battle management network.

The AN/TPY-2 is a transportable X-band radar that protects civilians and infrastructure in the U.S., deployed warfighters, and allied nations and security partners, from the growing ballistic missile threat.

The terminal-mode AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar is already approved for export as the fire control radar of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD system.

Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global Integrated Sensors business area, said, "As ballistic missiles proliferate and become more technically advanced, obtaining the forward-based AN/TPY-2 will enable America's friends and allies to improve the performance of already capable defensive systems such as Patriot. By acquiring a forward-based mode AN/TPY-2, or using terminal-mode AN/TPY-2 in forward-based mode, customers will significantly enhance their defensive capabilities."