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Raytheon is engaged in the development and creation of a new generation radar capable of intercepting hypersonic missiles, among other things.
Earlier, the Executive Directorate of the Army's Missile and Space Program reported that adjustments were made to the project on the timing of tests due to logistics problems related to COVID. Four new complexes are to enter service with the US Army at the end of 2023 instead of the previously planned fourth quarter of this year.
— the statement of the department says.
According to a report received by the US Congress, the LTAMDS program experienced problems with the execution of the work schedule, some of which postponed the start of testing for a year. Qualification tests, originally scheduled for the first quarter of 2022, will not begin until the fourth quarter of 2022. But, according to the report, the tests will be completed in the first quarter of the 23rd fiscal year.
Serial production of radars, previously scheduled for the end of this year, will begin in the first quarter of 2024.
The US Army has been implementing a program to replace the Patriot system for more than 10 years. In addition to the new generation LTAMDS radar, several more promising projects for the modernization of the anti-aircraft system are under development. The integrated Northrop Grumman or IBCS combat control system is planned to be tested before the end of this year and start production next year.
This year, the Pentagon also plans to hold a competition to conclude a contract with the military-industrial complex to develop new missiles to replace the Patriot. It is planned to start putting new air defense missile systems into service in 2026. Unless, of course, some kind of failure happens again and the program is not habitually pushed back to a later date.
