RTX's Raytheon delivers first PhantomStrike® radar for Korea Aerospace Industries' FA-50 fleet

Rhea-AI Summary

Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) delivered the first PhantomStrike® radar to Korea Aerospace Industries for its FA-50 light combat aircraft fleet on Oct. 20, 2025.

PhantomStrike is a fully air-cooled, high-efficiency Gallium Nitride fire-control radar designed for size-, weight-, and power-constrained platforms. The system is claimed to weigh nearly half of modern AESA radars, cost nearly half of a typical fire-control radar, and offers long-range detection, digital beam agility, advanced target detection, and jamming resistance.

Raytheon completed Multi-Program Testbed flight tests for air-to-air and air-to-ground performance, delivered a lab integration unit in August, and will produce PhantomStrike in Forest MS, Tucson AZ, and Scotland with support from Raytheon UK. The radar is approved for export as a Direct Commercial Sale product.

Positive

• First PhantomStrike radar delivered to KAI FA-50 fleet on Oct. 20, 2025
• System weight nearly 50% lower than modern AESA radars
• Unit cost at nearly half of a typical fire-control radar
• Completed air-to-air and air-to-ground flight tests in 2025
• Approved for export as a Direct Commercial Sale product
• Production across Forest MS, Tucson AZ, and Scotland

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Program Strategist

Delivery of the first PhantomStrike radar to KAI validates initial production and export readiness for FA-50 integration.

The delivery to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and the stated export approval as a Direct Commercial Sale show that the system moved from testing into fielded hardware by Oct. 20, 2025. The combination of completed flight tests, a lab unit delivered in August, and an initial hardware handover demonstrates progression across test, integration, and logistics steps required for operational use.

Risks remain tied to platform integration, sustainment, and field performance under operational conditions; the release notes flight-test demonstrations but do not disclose operational results or schedules for fleet-wide installation. Watch for published integration timelines, additional aircraft deliveries, and any government acceptance milestones over the next 6–18 months.

Systems Integration Expert

PhantomStrike emphasizes compact, lower-cost GaN fire-control capability tailored for light combat platforms.

The radar is positioned as a high-efficiency, fully air-cooled Gallium Nitride fire-control radar optimized for size, weight, and power constrained platforms such as the FA-50. The claim of "nearly half the cost" and "weighing nearly half" of modern AESA radars suggests a material supplier and manufacturing shift, supported by stated production in Forest, Miss.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Scotland.

Key uncertainties include quantified performance in contested electromagnetic environments and the logistics of retrofitting fleets; the release notes resistance to jamming and advanced detection but provides no measured metrics. Monitor follow-on integration reports, specific performance figures from operational tests, and any formal acceptance letters from the customer over the next 12 months.

Next-generation radar provides superior battlespace situational awareness

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Oct. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, has delivered the first PhantomStrike® radar to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for their FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft fleet.

PhantomStrike is a first-of-its-kind, fully air-cooled, high efficiency Gallium Nitride, fire-control radar that is designed to provide long-range threat detection, tracking and targeting. At nearly half the cost of a typical fire control radar, it delivers superior radar capability due to its faster, more agile digital beam, advanced target detection and resistance to jamming.

"In an increasingly complex and contested battlespace, aircrew need to make informed, split-second decisions to ensure mission success," said Dan Theisen, president of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon. "Delivering the first PhantomStrike system to KAI marks a pivotal step in equipping our customers with the advanced technology needed to maintain a decisive advantage in combat."

PhantomStrike is designed for size, weight, and power constrained platforms that include uncrewed and light-attack aircraft, fighter jets and helicopters. It harnesses the fire control power of a fighter in its lightest form factor ever – weighing nearly half of a modern active electronically scanned array radar.

PhantomStrike is approved to be exported as a Direct Commercial Sale product.  This year, Raytheon completed a series of flight tests on its Multi-Program Testbed aircraft, demonstrating air-to-air and air-to-ground performance, and delivered a lab unit for aircraft integration testing in August.

Production of PhantomStrike takes place in Forest, Miss.; Tucson, Ariz.; and Scotland, with support from Raytheon UK.

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/rtxs-raytheon-delivers-first-phantomstrike-radar-for-korea-aerospace-industries-fa-50-fleet-302589374.html

SOURCE RTX

FAQ

What did RTX announce on Oct. 20, 2025 about the PhantomStrike radar for FA-50?

RTX delivered the first PhantomStrike radar to Korea Aerospace Industries for the FA-50 fleet and highlighted recent flight tests and export approval.

How does PhantomStrike's size and cost compare to typical fire-control radars (RTX)?

RTX says PhantomStrike weighs nearly half of modern AESA radars and costs nearly half of a typical fire-control radar.

What performance capabilities did RTX demonstrate for PhantomStrike in 2025?

RTX completed Multi-Program Testbed flight tests demonstrating air-to-air and air-to-ground performance and delivered a lab integration unit in August 2025.

Where will RTX manufacture PhantomStrike units for the FA-50 program?

PhantomStrike production occurs in Forest, MS, Tucson, AZ, and Scotland, with support from Raytheon UK.

Is PhantomStrike approved for international sales (RTX)?

Yes. PhantomStrike is approved to be exported as a Direct Commercial Sale product.

What platforms is PhantomStrike designed for and how might that affect FA-50 operations (RTX)?

PhantomStrike is built for size-, weight-, and power-constrained platforms including light-attack aircraft, enabling advanced fire-control capability on FA-50 class jets.