Raytheon has announced the successful delivery of its first PhantomStrike radar to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for integration into the FA-50 light combat aircraft fleet. This milestone solidifies the ongoing partnership between the two companies, established back in 2023, with the goal of enhancing the FA-50’s advanced targeting and tracking capabilities.
The PhantomStrike radar, a compact and fully air-cooled fire-control system, leverages high-efficiency gallium nitride technology to offer faster signal processing, sharper target detection, and robust resistance against electronic jamming. Designed specifically for platforms with space and power constraints such as light fighter jets, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles, PhantomStrike provides comprehensive fire-control support in a form factor that weighs less than half of a conventional radar system.
Raytheon has highlighted operational advantages including quicker threat response and improved pilot situational awareness. The system delivers this advanced performance at close to half the cost of traditional radar solutions, enabling greater affordability for operators. Production is distributed across facilities in Mississippi, Arizona, and Scotland, with additional contributions from Raytheon’s UK division.
Raytheon previously conducted successful flight tests on the Multi-Program Testbed aircraft earlier this year, demonstrating PhantomStrike’s robust air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. The radar has already received export clearance under a Direct Commercial Sale agreement, supporting international sales to customers and marking a new era in compact, high-performance radar integration for light combat platforms.
