Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX (NYSE:RTX), has secured a contract from the US Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop advanced radar detection software aimed at improving the performance of naval surveillance and defence systems.
Under the agreement, Raytheon’s Advanced Technology division will develop and assess new signal-processing and data-processing algorithms designed to extend radar detection ranges, improve sensitivity and increase operational efficiency.
The programme will focus on software enhancements intended to help naval radar systems identify smaller objects at greater distances while accelerating target classification.
According to the company, the technology will undergo laboratory evaluations and field testing before being considered for integration into Raytheon’s SPY-6 family of naval radars and other future radar platforms.
Colin Whelan, President of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, said the planned improvements would strengthen the ability of naval personnel to identify and assess potential threats.
The upgrades “will enable naval operators to detect smaller objects at greater distances and classify targets more quickly, providing the fleet with faster, more informed decision-making,” Whelan said.
The development programme builds on earlier research initiatives funded by the Office of Naval Research, including ASPIRE and STORM.
Raytheon said those programmes established hardware and software capabilities that will support further improvements in radar performance, providing a technological foundation for the latest development work.
The SPY-6 radar family is designed to support naval air and missile defence operations, with the proposed software enhancements intended to improve detection and tracking capabilities as operational requirements evolve.
By focusing on advanced algorithms and software integration, the programme aims to improve radar performance through upgrades to existing technology rather than relying exclusively on new hardware development.
Raytheon will conduct the work at its facilities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Andover, Massachusetts, with programme activities scheduled to continue through 2031.
The financial value of the contract was not disclosed.
The award extends Raytheon’s involvement in US Navy radar research and development, with the resulting technology potentially supporting both the SPY-6 product family and future generations of naval radar systems.
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