Raytheon has delivered the initial PhantomStrike radar to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for its proprietary FA-50 light combat aircraft.
The delivery marks a key milestone in the companies’ defense partnership, first announced in 2023, to enhance the jet’s targeting and tracking functions.
The PhantomStrike is a compact, air-cooled radar built with gallium nitride technology for faster signal control, sharper detection, and stronger resistance to jamming.
It offers full fire-control capability in a compact form, allowing support in platforms with limited space and power, such as light fighters, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.
The system weighs about half as much as a standard radar, enabling pilots to detect and respond to threats more quickly, and delivers advanced performance at nearly half the cost of traditional systems, according to Raytheon.
Tested and Ready for Service
Earlier this year, Raytheon tested the radar on its in-house Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, showing strong performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.
In August, the company delivered a lab unit for integration testing with a KAI FA-50 airframe.
The radar is already cleared for export under a Direct Commercial Sale agreement, which permits the firm to sell it straight to international customers.
Raytheon currently assembles the system in Mississippi, Arizona, and Scotland, with additional support from the company’s segment in the UK.
“In an increasingly complex and contested battlespace, aircrew need to make informed, split-second decisions to ensure mission success,” Dan Theisen, president of advanced products and solutions at Raytheon, commented on the recent handover.
“Delivering the first PhantomStrike system to KAI marks a pivotal step in equipping our customers with the advanced technology needed to maintain a decisive advantage in combat.”
