RTX's Raytheon completes first flight test for RAIVEN® sensing system

Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) completed the first flight test of its RAIVEN Staring sensing system on April 15, 2026, aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk.

Rhea-AI Summary

Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) completed the first flight test of its RAIVEN Staring sensing system on April 15, 2026, aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk.

The air-cooled EO/IR suite used three sensors to map urban, marsh and coastline terrain in zero illumination with 270-degree situational awareness; RAIVEN family can be configured to a spherical 360-degree field of view. Sensors are produced in McKinney, Texas, and additional flight tests are planned throughout 2026.

Positive

• First flight test completed on April 15, 2026
• Demonstrated 270-degree situational awareness in zero illumination
• Configurable up to a spherical 360-degree field of view
• Manufacturing located in McKinney, Texas

Negative

• No announced procurement contracts or commercial orders disclosed
• Additional flight tests required throughout 2026 before wider deployment

Argus Apr 15 session

-2.18% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – RTX

On Apr 15, the day this news came out, RTX closed 2.18% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Apr 15 session.

Market Context

This announcement highlights successful first flight testing of RTX’s RAIVEN Staring EO/IR sensing s...

Analysis

This announcement highlights successful first flight testing of RTX’s RAIVEN Staring EO/IR sensing system, emphasizing enhanced situational awareness and survivability on platforms like the UH-60 Black Hawk. It continues a streak of recent technology and defense-program updates following strong 2025 results, including more than $138 billion in bookings and a $268 billion backlog. Investors may watch for follow-on flight tests through 2026 and any production or contract awards linked to the RAIVEN product family.

Key Figures

New bookings: More than $138 billion Backlog: $268 billion Cash flow from operations: $10.6 billion +5 more

New bookings

More than $138 billion

RTX 2025 performance highlighted in DEF 14A

Backlog

$268 billion

RTX 2025 year-end backlog per proxy statement

Cash flow from operations

$10.6 billion

RTX 2025 cash flow from operating activities

Free cash flow

$7.9 billion

RTX 2025 free cash flow as reported in DEF 14A

Total shareowner return

61%

RTX 2025 TSR vs 18% for S&P 500 Index

S&P 500 TSR

18%

S&P 500 Index total return for 2025 comparator

Quarterly dividend

$0.68 per share

RTX quarterly dividend after 7.9% increase from $0.63

RAIVEN field of view

360-degree configurable

RAIVEN EO/IR product family maximum spherical field of view

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Apr 14

5 events

1. Apr 14

   Production expansion

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Blue Canyon boosts reaction wheel capacity nearly 400% to meet small-sat demand.

2. Apr 14

   Defense contract win

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Raytheon signs $3.7B Patriot GEM-T interceptor contract supporting Ukraine and allies.

3. Apr 14

   Product launch

   24h Move

   +0.7%

   Collins and Air Canada unveil new Aurora suites and Meridian+ seats for A321XLR fleet.

4. Apr 13

   Platform content win

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Collins selected to supply five key systems for U.S. Army FLRAA program.

5. Apr 13

   Sensor innovation

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Raytheon demos event-based MWIR camera for high-speed tracking with lower processing needs.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR), open systems architecture

2 terms

electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) technical

"RAIVEN Staring ... is a next-generation electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) solution..."

Electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) describes sensor systems that use visible-light cameras and heat-detecting infrared cameras together to create images and detect objects across day, night and poor weather. Think of it as combining a regular camera and a thermal camera into one instrument so operators can see both color detail and heat signatures. Investors care because EO/IR technology drives sales for defense, security, drone and autonomous-vehicle makers and can be a key competitive advantage in products and government contracts.

open systems architecture technical

"Its open systems architecture allows for easy system integration and component upgrades."

A design approach that uses standard, nonproprietary parts and interfaces so different vendors’ hardware or software can plug together and work as a system. Think of it like building with common-size Lego bricks instead of custom pieces: it makes upgrades, repairs, and adding new features easier. For investors, it matters because it reduces vendor lock-in, can lower long‑term costs, speeds product development, and broadens potential partners and customers.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Next-generation intelligent sensor provides superior situational awareness

ARLINGTON, Va., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has successfully completed the first flight test of its RAIVEN® Staring system, an air-cooled sensor suite that delivers greater situational awareness and operator survivability, on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. During the test, the system, which included three sensors, accurately mapped urban landscape, marshes and coastline in zero illumination and with 270-degree situational awareness.

RAIVEN Staring, part of the RAIVEN product family, is a next-generation electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) solution that is platform agnostic, scalable and customizable for missions across air, ground and sea. Its open systems architecture allows for easy system integration and component upgrades.

"This test showcases the RAIVEN Staring system's advanced sensing capabilities, enabling partners and allies to better identify and respond to threats through integrated situational awareness," said Dan Theisen, president of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon. "This offering will provide a significant increase in survivability and mission effectiveness through unprecedented situational awareness, high-resolution pilotage functions as well as passive missile detection, warning and tracking."

The RAIVEN EO/IR product family is configurable and can support up to a spherical 360-degree field of view, which significantly improves the speed and accuracy of object detection, recognition and identification. This provides operators with increased visibility in a variety of degraded visual environments, terrains and battle scenarios.

The sensors are produced in McKinney, Texas. Additional flight tests will take place throughout 2026.

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
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 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/rtxs-raytheon-completes-first-flight-test-for-raiven-sensing-system-302742144.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did RTX announce about the RAIVEN Staring first flight test on April 15, 2026?

RTX completed the RAIVEN Staring system's first flight test on April 15, 2026, aboard a UH-60 Black Hawk. According to the company, the three-sensor, air-cooled suite mapped urban, marsh and coastline environments in zero illumination with 270-degree situational awareness.

How does the RAIVEN Staring system improve situational awareness for RTX (NYSE: RTX)?

RAIVEN Staring improves situational awareness by providing high-resolution EO/IR sensing across wide angles. According to the company, it delivers passive missile detection, pilotage functions and scalable coverage up to a spherical 360-degree field of view.

Where are RTX's RAIVEN sensors produced and what are the next test plans?

RAIVEN sensors are produced in McKinney, Texas, supporting domestic manufacturing and supply chains. According to the company, additional flight tests are scheduled throughout 2026 to validate performance across platforms and environments.

What capability did RTX demonstrate for RAIVEN in low-light conditions during the April 15, 2026 test?

The RAIVEN Staring system mapped terrain in zero illumination conditions during the test, demonstrating low-light performance. According to the company, the three-sensor suite accurately identified urban, marsh and coastline features without active lighting.

Is there any commercial order or contract announced with the RAIVEN flight test by RTX (NYSE: RTX)?

No commercial orders or procurement contracts were announced alongside the RAIVEN flight test. According to the company, the release confirmed successful testing but did not disclose any supply agreements or contract awards.