Norway Joins Development of GhostEye Radar: Specifications and Advantages Over AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel

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GhostEye Radar

Norway has officially joined the development of the GhostEye radar an advanced sensor system designed to enhance the combat-proven National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS). This trilateral collaboration between the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, U.S.-based Raytheon, and Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace marks a new chapter in transatlantic defense innovation.

A Strategic Alliance for a New Era

The GhostEye radar project is the first initiative funded under a cooperative agreement signed in October 2023 between the three parties. While Raytheon leads the primary development, Kongsberg is tasked with co-developing two critical subsystems, ensuring that the radar benefits from both American technological prowess and Norwegian engineering expertise.

This partnership builds on more than 30 years of collaboration between Raytheon and Kongsberg, who have jointly produced and supported NASAMS a system that has become a cornerstone of medium-range air defense for numerous allied nations.

What Is GhostEye?

GhostEye is a mobile, medium-range radar system designed to provide 360-degree surveillance and fire control. It is derived from Raytheon’s Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), originally developed for the Patriot missile system. The radar is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA), a significant upgrade over the passive systems used in earlier NASAMS configurations like the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel.

This AESA technology, combined with military-grade gallium nitride components, allows GhostEye to detect, track, and identify a wide range of aerial threats—including cruise missiles, drones, and both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft—with greater range, resolution, and sensitivity than its predecessors.

Mobility and Flexibility: A Battlefield Advantage

One of GhostEye’s standout features is its high mobility. The radar can be mounted on various vehicles, making it suitable for rapid deployment across diverse and challenging terrains. This flexibility is crucial for modern air defense systems, which must balance mobility with interception capabilities to respond effectively to evolving threats.

Raytheon emphasizes that GhostEye’s design allows for faster battlefield deployment, a critical factor in dynamic combat environments. This makes it especially valuable for nations like Norway, where terrain and weather conditions demand adaptable defense solutions.

NASAMS: A Proven Shield

NASAMS has already demonstrated its effectiveness in real-world scenarios, most notably in Ukraine, where it has played a pivotal role in defending against Russian air attacks. The system’s compatibility with a wide range of missiles—including AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles—adds to its versatility. Ukrainian forces have even supplemented NASAMS with their own missile stockpiles, showcasing the system’s adaptability.

The integration of GhostEye into NASAMS is expected to significantly enhance its performance, ensuring that it remains one of the most advanced and reliable medium-range air defense systems in the world.

While the GhostEye radar is still in development, its potential impact is already generating excitement among defense experts and allied governments. The project not only strengthens Norway’s national defense but also reinforces NATO’s collective security framework.

As the global security landscape continues to evolve, innovations like GhostEye underscore the importance of international collaboration in maintaining technological superiority and operational readiness. With Norway, Raytheon, and Kongsberg at the helm, the future of air defense looks more resilient—and more connected—than ever before.

GhostEye Radar Specifications

  • Type: Medium-range, mobile air and missile defense radar

  • Technology:

    • Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA): Enables rapid beam steering and multi-target tracking

    • Gallium Nitride (GaN) Components: Enhances signal strength, sensitivity, and reliability

  • Coverage:

    • 360-degree surveillance and fire control

    • Extended range and altitude detection compared to previous NASAMS radars

  • Threat Detection Capabilities:

    • Cruise missiles

    • Drones (UAS)

    • Fixed-wing and rotary aircraft

    • Hypersonic and next-generation threats

  • Mobility:

    • Vehicle-mounted for rapid deployment

    • Designed for flexible integration into various operational environments

  • Integration:

    • Fully compatible with NASAMS

    • Maximizes performance of Raytheon effectors like the AMRAAM and AMRAAM-ER missiles

  • Architecture:

    • Open system design for future upgrades

    • Shares core technology with the U.S. Army’s LTAMDS (Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor)

This radar is not just a sensor—it’s a force multiplier. Its integration into NASAMS is expected to dramatically expand the system’s defended area and improve its responsiveness to evolving aerial threats.

The GhostEye radar offers several key advantages over its predecessor, the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel, making it a significant upgrade for the NASAMS air defense system:

1. Enhanced Detection Range and Coverage

GhostEye provides greater range and altitude coverage, allowing it to detect and track threats from farther away and at higher altitudes. This extended reach gives operators more time to assess and respond to incoming threats.

2. Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Technology

Unlike the AN/MPQ-64, which uses a mechanically scanned array, GhostEye employs AESA radar technology. This enables faster beam steering, simultaneous multi-target tracking, and improved resistance to jamming and electronic warfare.

3. Gallium Nitride (GaN) Components

GhostEye incorporates GaN-based electronics, which offer higher power efficiency, better thermal performance, and increased reliability. This translates to stronger signal output and improved radar sensitivity compared to older systems.

4. 360-Degree Surveillance

While the AN/MPQ-64 provides sector-based coverage, GhostEye delivers full 360-degree situational awareness, ensuring no blind spots and better protection against fast-moving or low-flying threats from any direction.

5. Modular and Mobile Design

GhostEye is designed for rapid deployment and integration into various platforms. Its mobility and modularity make it more adaptable to different operational environments, from urban defense to remote air bases.

6. Seamless Integration with NASAMS

GhostEye is purpose-built to work with NASAMS, enhancing its ability to engage a broader spectrum of aerial threats—including drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons—more effectively than the AN/MPQ-64.

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