US approves GaN-based AESA Patriot sensor export

Raytheon has received approval from the US government for the export of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Patriot sensors based on Gallium Nitride (GaN), to Patriot air and missile defence system partner nations.

The company successfully demonstrated a GaN-based AESA prototype Patriot array in February 2014. It is used by the US Navy and Air Force in various systems.

Ralph Acaba, vice president of integrated air and missile defence, integrated defence systems business, Raytheon, said: ‘GaN-based AESA technology can bring customers of the combat-proven Patriot optimised 360-degree coverage while setting the stage for future capability improvements.

‘GaN-based AESA technology improves Patriot’s already high reliability rate and significantly reduces the radar’s annual operation and maintenance costs beyond what has already been achieved with other recent Patriot radar improvements.’

Patriot is a high altitude, long-range, all-weather air and missile defence system. It has been tested by the US Army over 2,500 times under real-world situations. It is designed to counter threats from tactical ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.