General Atomics

RTX’s Raytheon completes first PhantomStrike flight test

RTX's Raytheon has successfully completed the first flight test of its PhantomStrike radar on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft.



Above: Raytheon has successfully completed the first flight test of its PhantomStrike radar on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft.
Courtesy RTX


The flight test of PhantomStrike in Ontario, California, successfully tracked several airborne targets and accurately mapped the terrain.

PhantomStrike is a first-of-its-kind fully air-cooled, fire-control radar that’s designed to provide long-range threat detection, tracking and targeting. At nearly half the cost of a typical fire control radar, it delivers superior radar capability due to its faster, more agile digital beam, advanced target detection and resistance to jamming.

Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon said: "The threat environment is evolving, and this test demonstrates how PhantomStrike can make enhanced situational awareness available to a broader set of our partners and allies – offering unparalleled performance and potential US weapons integration – at an affordable price.

"This next-generation radar dramatically changes how we identify and respond to threats."

PhantomStrike is a gallium nitride (GaN) powered radar that enables aircrew to see farther. It is designed for a range of platforms, including uncrewed and light-attack aircraft, fighter jets, helicopters and ground-based towers. It harnesses the fire control power of a fighter in its lightest form factor ever – weighing nearly half of a modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar.

Production of the radars takes place in Forest, Mississippi, Tucson, Arizona and Scotland, with support from Raytheon UK.

Related

BBGA’s Lindsey Oliver honoured as Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
Lindsey Oliver
BBGA’s Lindsey Oliver honoured as Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society
The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) has bestowed Fellowship (FRAeS) status on Lindsey Oliver, Managing Director of the British Business & General Aviation Association (BBGA), recognising her significant contribution to general and business aviation across the UK.
Aerospace

7 Sep 2026

CAA backs plan to open UK airspace to stratospheric aircraft
CAA offices Gatwick
CAA backs plan to open UK airspace to stratospheric aircraft
World Mobile Stratospheric will lead a CAA-funded project to develop the airspace framework needed for routine high-altitude aircraft operations above the UK.
CAA reveals participants in next round of Hydrogen Sandbox
CAA Aviation House, Crawley, Gatwick.
CAA reveals participants in next round of Hydrogen Sandbox
Three organisations have been chosen to take part in the third round of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Hydrogen Challenge, which over the past three years has supported projects developing solutions to transform flight through the safe introduction of hydrogen to fuel manned and unmanned aircraft.
Aerospace

5 Sep 2026

Chancellor John Healey vows to cut red tape and unlock investment in first major growth speech
John Healey stepping off a private jet
Chancellor John Healey vows to cut red tape and unlock investment in first major growth speech
Chancellor John Healey has used his first major growth speech to set out reforms covering investment, regulation, drones, AI, infrastructure and regional economic powers.
UK to launch national resilience campaign as government prepares public for emergencies
Police on patrol to protect Jewish citizens
UK to launch national resilience campaign as government prepares public for emergencies
The UK government will launch a national resilience campaign this year, encouraging households to prepare for emergencies from various threats.
Defence Security

7 Sep 2026

CAA backs plan to open UK airspace to stratospheric aircraft
CAA offices Gatwick
CAA backs plan to open UK airspace to stratospheric aircraft
World Mobile Stratospheric will lead a CAA-funded project to develop the airspace framework needed for routine high-altitude aircraft operations above the UK.
Wales aerospace, defence, security and space sectors add £2bn to economy
Welsh flag
Wales aerospace, defence, security and space sectors add £2bn to economy
According to new ADS data, Wales’ aerospace, defence, security and space industries contributed £2 billion to the economy in 2025, and supported more than 18,500 highly skilled jobs.
Open Cosmos selected for UK satellite communications framework
Earth from space.
Open Cosmos selected for UK satellite communications framework
Open Cosmos is to provide secure communications to the UK Government’s Tactical Communications (TacSys) framework, with the company’s LEO constellation supporting UK ambitions to build a resilient sovereign network to avoid reliance on mega-constellations.
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
RAF Fylingdales
Serco awarded RAF Fylingdales early warning radar contract
As part of the contract, a new software analytical tool developed by Serco - with the RAF and UK Space Command - is set to enhance RAF Fylingdales' detection and tracking system.
Chancellor John Healey vows to cut red tape and unlock investment in first major growth speech
John Healey stepping off a private jet
Chancellor John Healey vows to cut red tape and unlock investment in first major growth speech
Chancellor John Healey has used his first major growth speech to set out reforms covering investment, regulation, drones, AI, infrastructure and regional economic powers.
UK to launch national resilience campaign as government prepares public for emergencies
Police on patrol to protect Jewish citizens
UK to launch national resilience campaign as government prepares public for emergencies
The UK government will launch a national resilience campaign this year, encouraging households to prepare for emergencies from various threats.
Defence Security

7 Sep 2026

SubSea Craft unveils MARS USV modular payload cassette system
SSC MARS USV
SubSea Craft unveils MARS USV modular payload cassette system
The new payload cassette system for SubSea Craft's MARS USV is set to transforms payload integration for maritime operations.