Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a significant contract by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) as part of the Navy Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) project. The contract, granted through Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory’s Electronics Manufacturing Center of Excellence, focuses on streamlining the production of the SPY-6 radar’s Transmit/Receive (TR) modules. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency and reduce costs through advanced manufacturing techniques.
The SPY-6 radar, a vital system in the U.S. Navy’s arsenal, plays a crucial role in air and missile defense. The system is designed to detect, track, and differentiate between various threats, providing comprehensive 360-degree protection for naval ships. It is deployed across several classes of ships, making the TR modules, which power these capabilities, an essential part of U.S. military defense infrastructure.
Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, highlighted the importance of the TR modules, stating, “TR modules are a key component in many of the military's critical sensing systems. These manufacturing advancements will greatly benefit future capabilities and can be implemented on other U.S. Navy and Department of Defense programs.”
As part of the project, Raytheon will introduce manufacturing improvements such as automation, new material sourcing, and process yield enhancements. These changes are expected to result in cost savings throughout the lifecycle of the SPY-6 radar system, benefiting both current and future deployments.
The SPY-6 family of radars is built with a modular design, which enhances reliability while reducing maintenance and production costs. The four radar variants use common hardware and software components, making production more efficient and cost-effective. Raytheon’s new manufacturing advancements are set to further improve performance while driving down overall expenses.
Work under this contract is being conducted at Raytheon’s facility in Andover, Massachusetts. The company plans to deliver new radio frequency TR modules for the SPY-6 radar system between 2026 and 2027.
This initiative marks a significant step in ensuring that the U.S. Navy’s defense systems remain at the forefront of technological advancements while staying within budget.
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