Raytheon to upgrade Navy air traffic control radars

MARLBOROUGH, Mass., 24 April 2012. The U.S. Navy has purchased two radar systems from Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) as part of a continuing effort to replace analog air traffic control systems with digital technology. The new radars will be installed at military bases in New River, N.C., and Quantico, Va.

The Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) ASR-11 is a fully digital, solid-state radar that has been implemented in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). The radars have been deployed to more than 130 sites throughout the world.

The ASR-11 provides primary surveillance radar coverage up to 60 miles and secondary surveillance radar coverage up to 120 miles. It provides the air traffic controller with aircraft detection and weather information. The primary radar is being manufactured in Waterloo, Canada, while the secondary radar will be made in the United States and United Kingdom.

Analog radars are steadily being replaced as part of the NAS Modernization Program, which involves upgrading legacy air traffic control systems with digital technology to enable the Navy to keep pace with changing Federal Aviation Administration guidelines and standards for terminal radar approach controls.

The digital radar is also part of Raytheon's recently introduced Mobile Air Traffic Control system, which provides air traffic services when existing infrastructure has been damaged or does not exist.