Raytheon Delivers PhantomStrike Radar with Gallium Nitride (GaN) Technology to KAI for FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft

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Raytheon, a business under RTX, has officially delivered its first PhantomStrike radar system to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI). The advanced radar will be integrated into the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, marking a significant milestone in enhancing the aircraft’s combat capabilities. This delivery represents not only a technological leap but also a strategic step in strengthening the global defense market presence of both Raytheon and KAI.

Photo: rtx.com

PhantomStrike Radar Technology Overview

The PhantomStrike radar is the first of its kind in its class, utilizing Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology and operating with a fully air-cooled system. Unlike traditional fire-control radars, PhantomStrike is designed to be more efficient, lighter, and cost-effective. Its innovative design allows it to deliver advanced detection, tracking, and targeting of long-range threats while maintaining a compact and lightweight structure. This makes it particularly suitable for modern combat environments where agility and efficiency are critical.

Key Advantages of PhantomStrike Radar

One of the most notable advantages of PhantomStrike is its cost efficiency. The system is priced at nearly half the cost of conventional fire-control radars, making it an attractive option for countries seeking advanced capabilities without excessive financial burden. Beyond affordability, PhantomStrike offers digital beam agility, advanced target detection, and strong resistance to electronic jamming. These features ensure that pilots can rely on accurate and timely information, even in contested and complex battlefields. The radar’s ability to provide long-range detection and precise targeting significantly enhances mission success rates.

Official Statement from Raytheon

Dan Theisen, President of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon, emphasized the importance of PhantomStrike in modern warfare. He stated that in increasingly complex and competitive battlefields, pilots must make quick and accurate decisions to ensure mission success. Theisen highlighted that the delivery of the first PhantomStrike radar to KAI represents a crucial step in equipping customers with cutting-edge technology that provides a decisive advantage in combat scenarios.

Design and Applications of PhantomStrike Radar

PhantomStrike was specifically engineered for platforms with strict limitations on size, weight, and power. This includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), light attack aircraft, fighter jets, and helicopters. Its lightweight design—nearly half the weight of modern Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars—makes it highly adaptable across multiple platforms. By offering fighter-jet level fire-control capabilities in a smaller and more efficient package, PhantomStrike opens new opportunities for a wide range of aircraft to benefit from advanced radar technology.

Testing and Export Approval

The PhantomStrike radar has already undergone extensive testing to validate its performance. Earlier this year, Raytheon successfully completed a series of flight tests on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft. These tests demonstrated the radar’s effectiveness in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Additionally, in August, Raytheon delivered a laboratory unit for aircraft integration testing, further proving the system’s readiness for operational deployment. Importantly, PhantomStrike has been approved for export as a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) product, allowing it to reach international markets and strengthen global defense partnerships.

Global Production of PhantomStrike Radar

Production of PhantomStrike is distributed across multiple locations to ensure efficiency and quality. Manufacturing takes place in Forest, Mississippi; Tucson, Arizona; and Scotland, with additional support provided by Raytheon UK. This global production network underscores Raytheon’s commitment to delivering advanced defense solutions while leveraging international expertise and resources.

PhantomStrike as a Game-Changer in Defense Technology


The delivery of the first PhantomStrike radar to KAI marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of radar technology for light combat aircraft. With its combination of affordability, lightweight design, and advanced capabilities, PhantomStrike is set to redefine expectations for fire-control radars in modern warfare. By equipping the FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft with this cutting-edge system, Raytheon and KAI are not only enhancing the operational effectiveness of the aircraft but also setting a new standard for future defense collaborations.

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