Raytheon’s 3DELRR radar selected by US Air Force
Raytheon will develop a new expeditionary radar for the US Air Force (USAF) that will detect, identify and track drones, missiles and aircraft under a new contract announced on 6 October. Raytheon beat out competition from Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for the award.
The contract also calls for Raytheon to procure three additional radar systems for a total of six radar systems and product support, and will be designed for exportability, enabling US forces, allies and security partners to benefit from the system. The total contract, including all options, is currently estimated at $71.8 million.
The Three Dimensional Expeditionary Long Range Radar (3DELRR) is a gallium nitride (GaN)-based radar that operates in the C-band of the radio frequency spectrum. By using GaN, Raytheon was able to affordably increase the radar's range, sensitivity and search capabilities. C-band also offers the military increased flexibility due to that portion of the spectrum being relatively uncongested.
The 3DELRR is being developed to replace older-style radar systems which are no longer able to keep pace with current and emerging threats.
David Gulla, vice president, global integrated sensors. Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, said: ‘By choosing Raytheon's 3DELRR solution, the air force is purchasing an affordable, exportable radar. Raytheon's 3DELRR design is interoperable with coalition systems and capable of meeting the requirements of many international customers.’
Andrew Hajek, 3DELRR program director, Raytheon, added: ‘As the US and other countries look to replace aging battlefield radars with low-cost yet cutting edge and highly capable systems, Raytheon's 3DELRR can meet that growing demand.’
More from Land Warfare
-
German Army to receive third-generation Dingo protected patrol vehicles this year
More than 1,200 Dingo 1 and Dingo 2 models have been built and deployed by some 10 countries. The latest Dingo 3 pulls through from user inputs and, like earlier versions, is also based on a UNIMOG chassis.
-
Hungary’s Gamma Technical expands vehicle range
The company’s new variants of 4×6 and 6×6 vehicles are designed to be modular for a greater variety of missions and also flexibility at a subsystem level, for example transmission and engine.
-
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?
-
Borsuk IFV programme marks turning point for Poland’s armoured modernisation
The Borsuk vehicles are to replace the Soviet-designed BMP-1 as the Polish military’s main tracked Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
-
DroneShield nets largest order ever with $40 million European CUAS contract
The package of three standalone follow-on contracts makes this the largest contract won by the Australian company and larger than its total 2024 revenue.