Raytheon, in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) office and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, has successfully demonstrated the operational performance and readiness of the GhostEye® MR advanced medium-range sensor for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS).

The extended exercise at White Sands Missile Range showcased GhostEye MR’s capabilities in enhancing NASAMS’ proven effectiveness against various threats, including enemy aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and cruise missiles. Through internal research and development investments, Raytheon designed and developed the radar. The recent exercise saw the successful integration of GhostEye MR with NASAMS’ Air Defense Console and the Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC3), a crucial command-and-control element used by the U.S. Air Force.

Jim Simonds, U.S. Air Force Air Base Air Defense Program Manager at the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, stated that the recent exercise confirmed GhostEye MR’s viability as a sensor option for integrated air and missile defense. The radar demonstrated its capability to be swiftly deployed and accurately detect and track live targets at extended ranges, offering enhanced standoff and decision-making time.

Configured as an air base air defense solution for the U.S. Air Force, all three system components, including GhostEye MR, demonstrated effective communication, seamlessly sharing information and relevant data in a live threat scenario. GhostEye MR offered a comprehensive air picture, enabling the command-and-control system to assess whether a target posed a threat and determine the necessary response. The radar also facilitated simulated engagements and successfully neutralized the targets in collaboration with NASAMS.

Tom Laliberty, President of Land & Air Defense Systems at Raytheon, expressed confidence in GhostEye MR meeting the requirements of the U.S. Air Force. He noted the team’s success in showcasing the radar’s capabilities in countering sophisticated airborne threats. Laliberty emphasized that the exercise marked a significant progression toward implementing an integrated capability for air base air defense to address evolving global challenges faced by air bases.

This recent demonstration builds upon a successful air base air defense experiment conducted in Andøya, Norway, last year. The previous experiment showcased the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System’s (NASAMS) capability to engage and intercept various aerial threats using a combination of Raytheon missile types and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s Fire Distribution Center.

In August of last year, Raytheon secured its first government contracts to advance the development and assessment of GhostEye MR. As part of Raytheon’s GhostEye sensor family, GhostEye MR enhances range and altitude coverage, thereby expanding the defended-area capabilities of NASAMS. The radar also benefits from commonality with the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS), which is currently undergoing development for the U.S. Army. (Press Release)

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Raytheon and Texas A&M Establish Laser Weapon Test Site

Post Image- The GhostEye® MR, pictured here during an extended exercise at White Sands Missile Range, is an advanced medium-range sensor for the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS). (Image Credit: Raytheon)