RTX, Kongsberg, and Norway showcase GhostEye radar at Paris Air Show

Rhea-AI Summary

RTX, Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, and the Norwegian government announced a collaboration to develop the GhostEye radar for the NASAMS air defense system. GhostEye, a 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensor, will be designed by Raytheon in the US with key subassemblies co-developed by Kongsberg in Norway. The radar features active electronically scanned array technology and military-grade gallium nitride, enabling enhanced detection, targeting, and tracking of various aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft. This development marks the first project under the NASAMS collaborative arrangement signed in October 2023. Additionally, Raytheon and Kongsberg renewed their 30-year partnership for another decade at the Paris Air Show.

Positive

• First major project under NASAMS collaborative arrangement strengthens international defense partnerships
• Advanced technology features including AESA and gallium nitride enhance detection and tracking capabilities
• Versatile design allows mounting on various vehicles for operational flexibility
• Extension of successful 30-year partnership between Raytheon and Kongsberg for another decade

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Industry Analyst

RTX strengthens defense position through GhostEye radar development with Norway and Kongsberg, extending valuable partnership by ten years.

The collaborative development of the GhostEye radar represents a strategic enhancement to RTX's defense portfolio. This mobile medium-range sensor will significantly upgrade the NASAMS platform's threat detection capabilities, particularly against evolving aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and various aircraft.

The technical specifications reveal substantial battlefield advantages: the 360-degree surveillance capability combined with active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology provides superior detection range and tracking precision. The incorporation of military-grade gallium nitride further enhances signal strength and sensitivity—critical elements for modern air defense systems facing increasingly sophisticated threats.

What makes this development particularly valuable is the renewed 10-year extension of the Raytheon-Kongsberg partnership, which has already spanned three decades. This long-term commitment signals confidence in NASAMS as an enduring platform worthy of continued investment and evolution.

The battlefield credibility of NASAMS has been significantly validated through its operational use in Ukraine, providing real-world evidence of its effectiveness. This combat-proven status enhances the system's marketability to other NATO and allied nations seeking proven air defense solutions.

This development strengthens RTX's position in the increasingly competitive integrated air and missile defense market, with the Norwegian validation providing an important reference customer for future international sales opportunities.

First project under NASAMS collaborative arrangement

PARIS, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, in collaboration with the Norwegian government and Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, announced that the Kingdom of Norway will join in the development of the GhostEye® radar, an advanced mobile medium-range air and missile defense sensor for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, or NASAMS®. The radar will be designed and developed by Raytheon in the United States, with key radar subassemblies co-developed by Kongsberg in Norway.

"GhostEye can be mounted on various vehicles, making it suitable for any operational environment," said Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon. "Coupled with a combat-proven air defense system like NASAMS, this new sensor will help Norway and other allied nations defend against sophisticated and evolving aerial threats."

GhostEye development will be funded under an existing collaborative arrangement for NASAMS that was signed by Raytheon, the Norwegian government, and Kongsberg in October 2023. The new radar is the first formal project executed under the NASAMS collaborative arrangement with Kongsberg co-developing two key subassemblies.

"Continuous development and improvements from both Kongsberg and Raytheon are among the key factors behind the NASAMS success story," said Eirik Lie, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. "With the new GhostEye radar, the NASAMS system capabilities are expanded to maintain its superior performance and flexibility."

"The NASAMS air defense system is strategically important for Norway's defense capabilities and crucial for safeguarding national security interests," said Rolf Kjos, National Armaments Director at the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence. "It has also proven to be crucial for safeguarding Ukraine against air threats."

GhostEye is a 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensor, specifically tailored for maximum transportability and rapid deployment across challenging terrain. The radar detects, tracks, and identifies a variety of airborne threats, including cruise missiles, drones, and fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. GhostEye paves the way to further enhance and grow the capabilities of NASAMS to remain the world's leading medium-range air defense system.

GhostEye is powered by active electronically scanned array technology, which boosts detection, targeting and tracking abilities. The radar also features military-grade gallium nitride, strengthening the radar's signal and enhancing its sensitivity for longer range, higher resolution and increased tracking capacity. GhostEye can be rapidly emplaced on the battlefield due to its high mobility.

Raytheon has produced and supported the NASAMS system in partnership with Kongsberg for more than 30 years. The two companies renewed their teaming agreement this week at the Paris Air Show, extending this collaborative partnership by another ten years.

About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.

About RTX  
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2024 sales of more than $80 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.  

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtx-kongsberg-and-norway-showcase-ghosteye-radar-at-paris-air-show-302482559.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What is the GhostEye radar system being developed by RTX and Kongsberg?

GhostEye is a 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensor for NASAMS, designed for maximum transportability and capable of detecting various aerial threats including cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft.

What are the key features of RTX's GhostEye radar technology?

GhostEye features active electronically scanned array technology and military-grade gallium nitride, providing enhanced detection, targeting, tracking abilities, and increased range and sensitivity.

How will the collaboration between RTX and Kongsberg work for GhostEye development?

Raytheon will design and develop the radar in the United States, while Kongsberg will co-develop key radar subassemblies in Norway under the NASAMS collaborative arrangement.

What is the significance of RTX and Kongsberg's partnership renewal at the Paris Air Show?

The renewal extends their 30-year collaborative partnership for NASAMS development and support by another ten years, ensuring continued cooperation in air defense systems.

How is the GhostEye radar system beneficial for military operations?

GhostEye offers high mobility, rapid deployment capabilities, and can be mounted on various vehicles, making it suitable for diverse operational environments and challenging terrain.