Raytheon [RTN] has begun to build two major sub-components of the AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) under a $53 million contract issued Sept. 2.

The units Raytheon is building will enable MDA to rotate sub-components out of the field to receive depot-level upgrades while keeping the radars up and running. This will give the agency greater agility and capability for its fleet of AN/TPY-2 radars.

AN/TPY-2 Radar Photo: Raytheon
AN/TPY-2 Radar
Photo: Raytheon

Raytheon has delivered nine AN/TPY-2s to MDA. Some of them are currently helping defend the United States and its allies in the European, Pacific and Central Command area of responsibilities.

The AN/TPY-2 is a critical element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS). It is a mobile X-band radar that is integral in protecting civilians and infrastructure in the United States, deployed warfighters, and allied nations and security partners, from the growing ballistic missile threat.

U.S. intelligence agencies estimate there are more than 6,300 ballistic missiles not controlled by the United States, NATO, China or Russia. That number is expected to reach almost 8,000 by 2020.

“The AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar is a strategic asset which helps protect the people and things that matter 24/7/365,” said Raytheon’s Dave Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems’ Global Integrated Sensors business area.

The two trailer-sized sub-components Raytheon is building are the Electronic Equipment Unit (EEU) and the Cooling Equipment Unit (CEU).

The EEU contains the processors–brains–of the AN/TPY-2, a crucial upgrade that enable AN/TPY-2 radar systems to more quickly and accurately discriminate threats from non-threats, and enhance radar performance during missile raids.

The CEU keeps the radar operating at the optimal temperature, and distributes power to the system.

The high-resolution AN/TPY-2 is mobile, rapidly deployable X-band radar capable of providing long range acquisition, precision track, and discrimination of all classes of ballistic missiles. The AN/TPY-2 may be deployed globally in either terminal or forward-based mode.

In the forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 cues the BMDS by detecting, discriminating and tracking enemy ballistic missiles in the ascent phase of flight. In the terminal mode, it serves as the fire control radar for the THAAD system. The radar has been successful in both terminal and forward-based mode in all major tests.