Raytheon recently announced that it has broken ground on a 23,000-square-foot expansion of its integration and testing facility in Andover, Massachusetts, on October 15, 2023. This expansion is focused on the development of the Army’s next-generation Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS).
The LTAMDS is designed to replace the existing Patriot system, which Raytheon also manufactures, and it aims to counter advanced threats such as hypersonic weapons. Earlier this year, the Army approved the new sensor, marking a significant milestone in its production.
Tom Laliberty, the president of Raytheon’s Land and Air Defense Systems, explained that the new $53 million wing is part of an overall LTAMDS production expansion that has already exceeded $400 million. The facility expansion will include new software labs, automated subsystem assembly areas, and a specialized anechoic near-field range for antenna calibration.
Completion of the facility is targeted for the end of 2024, with Laliberty expressing hope for an earlier finish by the end of the third quarter of next year. The LTAMDS has passed several critical milestones, including the Army’s approval for low-rate initial production after extensive flight tests and radar qualification trials.
Currently, Raytheon has built six prototype units of the LTAMDS and is developing two improved versions that will be tested by the Army this year. Additionally, an LTAMDS prototype has been deployed to Guam for testing in an operational environment.
Laliberty also indicated that Raytheon aims to triple its production rate. The Army plans to increase production from six to 12 radars annually under the low-rate initial production contract, with the factory’s capacity bolstered to accommodate up to 18 radars each year for foreign military sales.
International demand for the LTAMDS appears strong, with Laliberty noting receipt of about a dozen formal letters of interest from various countries. Poland has emerged as the first foreign customer, committing to purchase 12 LTAMDS units along with 48 Patriot launchers.
