U.S. Missile Defense Agency Receives Upgraded Radar to Counter Hypersonic Threats

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has taken delivery of the most advanced AN/TPY-2 radar system to date, built by Raytheon and designed specifically to detect and track next-generation missile threats, including hypersonics.

This upgraded version is the first to feature a full Gallium Nitride (GaN) array, which significantly boosts sensitivity and expands surveillance capacity. Raytheon says this technological leap enhances the radar’s ability to support the U.S. hypersonic defense mission.

“This is the most advanced version of AN/TPY-2 that Raytheon has built,” said Sam Deneke, president of air and space defense systems at Raytheon. “It delivers superior capability at a lower cost.”

Operating within the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum, the new radar system offers improved discrimination between real threats and debris. It also features the latest CX6 software, which strengthens its resistance to electronic warfare.

The delivery comes as the U.S. accelerates its efforts to modernize missile defense systems in response to evolving threats from China and Russia, particularly hypersonic weapons that can maneuver mid-flight, making them harder to intercept than traditional ballistic missiles.

The move follows the U.S. Army’s recent approval of the GaN-enabled Lower-Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) for low-rate production, which is set to replace the aging Patriot radar system.

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