PORTSMOUTH, RI, Oct 13, 2026 – Raytheon has received a contract from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to develop software upgrades to extend naval radar detection range and increase sensitivity. The work will prepare the upgrades for transition into Raytheon’s SPY-6 radar family and other future naval radars.
Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will develop and evaluate signal- and data-processing algorithms and integrate software upgrades to improve radar-system efficiency. The upgrades will undergo laboratory and field testing to validate performance and operational use.
“Modernizing fielded radar systems with software-first upgrades is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver mission-ready capability,” said Colin Whelan, president of advanced technology at Raytheon. “These enhancements will enable naval operators to detect smaller objects at greater distances and classify targets more quickly, providing the fleet with faster, more informed decision‑making.”
The program builds on Raytheon’s work in software-defined apertures and prior ONR initiatives, including ASPIRE and STORM. According to Raytheon, those initiatives established hardware and software advances for next-generation radar capabilities.
Work under this contract will be conducted at Raytheon facilities in Portsmouth, RI and Andover, MA, through 2031.
Source: RTX
About Raytheon
Raytheon, a business segment of RTX Corp., is a U.S.-based defense and aerospace company headquartered in Arlington, VA. With origins dating to 1922 and its current structure formed through a 2020 merger, Raytheon develops technologies in missile systems, radar, space-based sensors and cybersecurity. The company supports government and commercial clients across the defense, intelligence, aerospace and space sectors. Raytheon operates alongside other RTX business units, including Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. Its capabilities include guided weapons, air defense systems, satellite payloads and secure communications.
About RTX
RTX, formerly Raytheon Technologies, is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems, products and services. It specializes in aircraft engines, avionics, cybersecurity solutions and defense systems, serving the aerospace, defense, intelligence and security sectors. With a history spanning more than a century, RTX combines expertise from its predecessor companies to support technological development. Headquartered in Waltham, MA, the company employs about 185,000 people worldwide. Its clients include the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.K. Ministry of Defence, Airbus and Boeing. RTX supports commercial and military programs by focusing on safety, performance and efficiency, while addressing operational challenges across multiple sectors.
