The United States has approved the serial production of the latest LTAMDS radars to replace the old Patriot radars. Raytheon Missiles and Defense has signed a $2.09 billion contract to launch the initial production of LTAMDS radars. The order is funded by the US RTD&E research and development program and Poland under the Foreign Military Sales program, which ordered 12 radars for six Patriot PAC-3 batteries in September 2013. The radars will be manufactured at Raytheon’s facilities in Andover, Massachusetts. The contract is expected to be completed in November 2028.

LTAMDS is the latest generation air and missile defense radar developed by Raytheon. The developers position it as a system to combat next-generation threats, including hypersonic weapons and targets moving at speeds over 1600 m/s. Unlike older radars with a sectoral view, LTAMDS has a 360-degree circular view. This configuration should increase the radar’s coverage area and close blind spots that can be used to bypass enemy weapons. The radar is also capable of transmitting data to other air defense systems, which will allow them to better coordinate their activities. Last year, LTAMDS successfully completed tests, confirming proper integration into the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system. The new radars are to replace the outdated AN/MPQ-65 radars.

ملخص الأخبار

• تم نشر الخبر على موقع وزارة الدفاع الأمريكية.
• تم طلب ستة رادارات قبل الإنتاج الضخم لقوات الجيش بقيمة 384 مليون دولار في عام 2019.
• كل محطة رادار تكلف حوالي 174 مليون دولار من العقد، ولكن هذه التكلفة ليست تمثيلية بما أنها تتضمن أموالًا لتوسيع نطاق الإنتاج.