Raytheon has supplied Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with the first PhantomStrike radar for its FA-50 light combat jets, marking an important step in the defense partnership the companies established in 2023 to enhance targeting and tracking performance.
The PhantomStrike is a compact, air-cooled radar built using gallium nitride technology, offering faster signal control, sharper detection, and stronger jamming resistance. Its small size and full fire-control functionality make it ideal for light fighters, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Weighing about half as much as conventional radars, it enables quicker threat detection and response while delivering high-end performance at nearly half the typical cost.
Raytheon conducted tests earlier this year on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, confirming effective air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities. In August, a lab unit was provided for FA-50 integration testing. Already approved for export through a Direct Commercial Sale agreement, the radar is assembled in Mississippi, Arizona, and Scotland, with additional support from the UK.
