FAA Decision Allows Moving Forward With Upgrades

Raytheon reports the FAA has certified that the company's advanced electronics system has met a milestone for the Long Range Radar Service Life Extension Program regarding the upgrade of aging radar electronics. The new radar transmitters have greater range and will provide improved detection and clutter management capability.

The FAA recently announced that an in-service decision had been granted, signifying the system has met the requirements of the contract in areas such as performance, reliability and maintainability. This decision has paved the way for production deployments.

Raytheon is upgrading the electronics that feed radar information to the US government, including NORAD, DHS, the Department of Defense, and the FAA. Each radar provides surveillance over a 400 nautical mile coverage area and detects commercial and military aircraft. These radars provide greater detection capability of non-cooperative targets. 

Three radar systems are currently operational in the National Airspace System, including the first production system deployment in Coopersville, MI. Two more are operational at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, where they are being used for training and engineering support.

FMI: www.raytheon.com