The Ku-band radio frequency radar (KuRFS) developed by Raytheon is front and center in a new, $191 million contract awarded to them by the U.S. Army.
KuRFS has already seen deployment with “sense and warn” capabilities in several areas, from rocket detection to swarming unmanned aircraft systems. An electronically scanned array system, the U.S. Army hopes to use KuRFS as a counter-drone vehicle radar. They also hope to incorporate it into a series of weapons systems, such as 50-caliber guns, 30 mm cannons and high energy lasers.
“Seeing threats – like swarming drones – as soon as possible on the battlefield is essential to protecting critical assets and saving soldiers’ lives,” Andrew Hajek, senior director of tactical radars at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, said. “KuRFS makes this possible by delivering a unique combination 360-degree situational awareness, precision, and mobility.”
The system can be ground or vehicle mounted. It can be rapidly developed and deployed, and as such can reduce field delays and a more flexible means of dealing with threats in the field, Raytheon said in a statement.