Raytheon Delivers Saudi Arabia’s First ANTPY-2 Air Defense Radar.

Raytheon has announced the delivery of the first AN/TPY-2 air defense radar to Saudi Arabia as part of a $2.3 billion contract signed in 2020. This delivery marks a significant step for the Kingdom as it strengthens its missile defense capabilities with this advanced radar system.
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Saudi Arabia has ordered six additional Gallium Nitride-based AN/TPY-2 radars, which will complement its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system (Picture source: Raytheon)

The AN/TPY-2 radar is distinguished by the full integration of Gallium Nitride semiconductor technology, providing increased surveillance capacity and enhanced sensitivity to threats. Compared to other radio frequency semiconductors, Gallium Nitride offers several advantages, including improved energy efficiency, reduced weight, and higher power output. These features allow the radar to operate more efficiently while detecting threats more quickly and accurately.

Paul Ferraro, president of Raytheon’s Air and Space Defense Systems, stated that the AN/TPY-2 radar is now in a different class after undergoing more than 50 upgrades. According to Ferraro, these modifications will help Saudi Arabia bolster its missile defense while also benefiting the entire fleet by enhancing detection capabilities.

Saudi Arabia has ordered six additional Gallium Nitride-based AN/TPY-2 radars, which will complement its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. This defense system is designed to protect Saudi territory from ballistic missile threats, relying on the radar’s recent technological advancements.

Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 radar is designed to detect, track, and discriminate hostile ballistic missiles at various stages of flight. Operating in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, it provides clearer target visibility, resulting in sharper images and improved threat discrimination.

The system can function in two modes: forward-based mode for detecting long-range ballistic missile threats and terminal mode for guiding interceptors toward the warhead of an enemy missile. According to Bryan Rosselli, Raytheon’s vice president of Strategic Missile Defense, the AN/TPY-2 has the "sharpest eyes" of all current missile defense systems, thanks to its ability to distinguish targets with greater precision.

The introduction of Gallium Nitride technology enhances the radar's reliability, improving its ability to detect, track, and discriminate threats with increased efficiency. By delivering this next-generation radar to Saudi Arabia, Raytheon is helping to strengthen the Kingdom's defensive capabilities while continuing to develop a more robust radar fleet capable of addressing global ballistic missile threats.