Raytheon wins contract to further develop next-generation software-defined radar

Raytheon has received a contract from the Office of Naval Research to advance radar software designed for next-generation naval systems, aiming to enable multi-mission operation and improve coexistence with commercial networks such as 5G.

The company’s Advanced Technology team will develop software that allows each radar building block to function on its own, so a single system can execute several tasks at once. By treating each module as a separate software-defined aperture, the radar can reconfigure quickly to meet shifting operational needs and more efficiently share crowded frequency bands.

“The electromagnetic spectrum is more crowded than ever, and our systems have to be smarter about how they operate in it,” said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. “With precise, software-driven control over where and how we radiate, we’re taking an important step forward in how we use software‑defined apertures to keep pace with evolving mission demands.”

Raytheon says the approach builds on its work in software‑defined apertures, using a flexible, modular architecture that prioritizes software upgrades over hardware redesign. That model is intended to expand performance over time more quickly, at lower cost and with less risk.

Following development, the company plans a series of demonstrations to prove independent control of radar modules and capabilities including simultaneous missions and spectrum sharing. If those demonstrations are successful, the technology is expected to transition into operational naval radar systems.