Its presence in Paris should come as no surprise. The manufacturer can now boast the completion of the testing phase, which included eight scenarios varying in complexity. Additionally, the project successfully completed an evaluation that cleared the way for the approval of the test results and the formal launch of full-scale production (known as Milestone C). For this reason, the LTAMDS radars that have already been delivered (six units) can now be used for air defense missions within the continental United States as well as for expeditionary operations.
The manufacturer has now started the production phase. Initially, the production rate is set at eight radars per year, with plans to increase the output to twelve units annually. This is driven by potential global demand. Two additional radars are scheduled for delivery later this year.
So far, orders for LTAMDS have been placed by the U.S. Department of Defense and, via the federal Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, by Poland. According to RTX, the new-generation radars are attracting interest from other countries — over a dozen undisclosed potential customers have already submitted formal requests for information regarding the system’s capabilities, pricing, and possible delivery timelines. Most likely, these are current operators of the Patriot air defense system. Further details are expected to be revealed once the U.S. State Department issues the necessary authorizations for export sales under the FMS procedure (Raytheon ships first LTAMDS radar to U.S. Army test range).