RTX’s Raytheon division has delivered the inaugural PhantomStrike radar system to Korea Aerospace Industries for the FA-50 light combat aircraft, representing a breakthrough in technological partnership and air combat performance. The PhantomStrike radar introduces a next-generation, air-cooled design built on gallium nitride (GaN) technology, designed to maximize threat detection, digital beam agility, and resilience to jamming in modern contested environments.
Weighing nearly 50% less than traditional AESA radars and costing approximately half as much as typical fire-control systems, PhantomStrike enables the FA-50 to carry advanced radar capability without the logistical and power overhead associated with legacy platforms. The radar targets platforms with strict space, weight, and power requirements, including not only fighter jets but also helicopters and UAVs.
Earlier this year, Raytheon tested the new radar successfully on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, confirming strong performance in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. In August, a dedicated laboratory unit was delivered for integration trials with a KAI FA-50 airframe. The radar is now eligible for export under a Direct Commercial Sale agreement, furthering its reach to global customers.
Raytheon’s PhantomStrike assembly is distributed across facilities in Mississippi, Arizona, and Scotland, underscoring the company’s commitment to worldwide defense support. The delivery to KAI sets the stage for continued advancements in radar performance, operational flexibility, and coalition interoperability for light combat aircraft fleets across allied nations.
