RTX's Thor Company will enhance the target detection capabilities of naval radar
Software-driven upgrades are expected to improve detection range and efficiency.
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, USA, October 12, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- RTX (New York Stock Exchange ticker: RTX) Raytheon Company, a subsidiary of RTX, announced that it has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy Research Office ( ONR ) to develop advanced target detection capabilities for naval radar systems.
According to the contract, Raytheon's Advanced Technology Team will develop and evaluate advanced signal and data processing algorithms, and integrate targeted software upgrades to significantly extend detection range, improve sensitivity, and enhance the efficiency of radar systems. These improvements will undergo rigorous laboratory and field tests to verify their performance and operational effectiveness, in preparation for their subsequent adoption in the Raytheon SPY-6 series of radars and other future naval radars.
Colin Whelan, President of Raytheon Advanced Technologies ( Colin Whelan ), stated: "Modernizing deployed radar systems with a software-first approach is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to provide mission-ready capabilities. These improvements will enable Navy operators to detect smaller targets from greater distances and to classify them more quickly, thereby providing the fleet with faster and more informed decision-making."
This project continues Thor's extensive work in software-defined apertures and builds upon the experience accumulated from previous projects ONR, ASPIRE, and STORM. These projects have laid the foundational hardware and software groundwork for the next generation of radar capabilities.
The work under this contract will be carried out at Raytheon facilities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Andover, Massachusetts, and will continue until 2031.
Thor is significantly expanding its engineering team to support key military projects. The company offers job opportunities for emerging talents, senior professionals, and veterans. Those interested can view the available positions on the company's website and apply.
About Thor
Raytheon is a business under RTX, and it is a leading provider of defense solutions that helps the U.S. government, its allies, and partners to defend national sovereignty and ensure security. For over 100 years, Raytheon has been developing new technologies and enhancing existing capabilities in areas such as integrated air defense and missile defense, intelligent weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radar, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonic weapons, as well as missile defense on land, at sea, in the air, and in space.
About RTX
RTX employs over 180,000 people worldwide and is committed to pushing the boundaries of technology and science to redefine the way we connect and protect the world. The company possesses industry-leading capabilities, advances in aviation operations, designs comprehensive defense systems to support successful combat, and develops next-generation technological solutions and manufacturing capabilities to help global customers address the most critical challenges. RTX is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with sales exceeding $88 billion in 2025.
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