First flight test for Raytheon’s PhantomStrike radar

Raytheon has completed the first test flight of its new PhantomStrike fire control radar, during which the radar tracked several airborne targets and accurately mapped terrain onboard Raytheon’s Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, the company has said in a 6th May press release. 

The new radar is designed to offer more modern capabilities at nearly half the cost of a traditional fire control radar and at a lower weight, the press release explains. “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,” said Bryan Rosselli, president of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon.

PhantomStrike was selected to equip Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) KA-50 Block 20 aircraft in 2023, reportedly succeeding over Northrop Grumman’s AN/APG-83. Deliveries of the radars are expected to take place in 2025, indicating that this flight test is intended to be a precursor to that development. At the time of that announcement, PhantomStrike had been approved for export as a direct commercial sale between Raytheon and KAI by the US government. 

The Multi-Program Testbed aircraft is a retired Boeing 727 airliner that was purchased by Raytheon in 2002. It was fitted with the nose of an F-15 fighter and is used to test experimental avionics and other systems. 

Tech profile: PhantomStrike

The video above is from Raytheon and shows some of the capabilities that PhantomStrike is designed to deliver. Credit: Raytheon

PhantomStrike is a gallium nitride (GaN) radar, which means that it uses transistors made from the semiconductor material gallium nitride in its radio frequency power amplifier stages. This is a significant advancement over traditional radar systems that often use transistors made from silicon (Si) or gallium arsenide (GaAs) because GaN transistors can handle significantly higher voltages, which means they can emit stronger signals providing longer range and more detailed returns. GaN is also a more efficient material so less energy is wasted as heat, which likely contributes to the lower power demands of the PhantomStrike radar. 

It has a weight of 68 kg, which is nearly half the weight of Raytheon’s earlier radar designs, which means PhantomStrike can be fitted to some uncrewed aerial systems and helicopters as well as fixed wing fighter aircraft. It is air cooled, which further reduces its weight and size as liquid cooling is not required, and uses a digitally steered beam. This means that the focus of the radar is shifted by changing the emitted radio waves, rather than physically moving the radar emitter to look in the desired direction. This supports target detection by rapidly scanning an area and following a target once identified. 

Calibre comment

Improving radar capabilities and reducing their size and weight is an important enabler for existing aircraft as well as emerging concepts like collaborative combat aircraft, which may be required to be smaller and lighter than a conventional fighter. The reduced cost is also an important factor, providing that performance can be maintained or improved over existing designs. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on 7th May, 2025.