New Patriot Radar Demonstrates 360-Degree Interceptor Guidance Capability

The new radar for the Patriot system – LTAMDS – has demonstrated the ability to guide PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles within a 360-degree sector during testing.

Lockheed Martin reported on this.

During a flight test, the PAC-3 MSE interceptor missile successfully engaged an aerial target using data from the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar. The missile was guided to the target via a side-facing section of the radar.

“During the flight test, a PAC-3 MSE successfully intercepted a target using data from LTAMDS’s secondary sector – a significant step toward fielding the 360-degree engagement capability for the U.S. Army’s modernized Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) architecture. This milestone demonstrates PAC-3’s ability to work seamlessly with cutting-edge technologies.,” the company stated.

LTAMDS

LTAMDS is a state-of-the-art air and missile defense radar developed by Raytheon.

The developers position it as a system designed to counter next-generation threats, including hypersonic weapons and targets moving at speeds over 1,600 m/s.

Unlike older radar models with sector-based coverage, the LTAMDS provides full 360-degree coverage. For achieving this, in addition to the main long-range antenna array, it is equipped with two additional lower-power side-facing antennas.

This configuration is intended to expand the radar’s coverage area and eliminate ‘blind spots’ that could be exploited by enemy strike systems. The radar is also capable of sharing data with other air defense systems, enabling them to better coordinate their operations.

In November 2023, it was reported that the LTAMDS had been successfully integrated into the Patriot PAC-3 air defense system.

And in August 2024, Raytheon signed a $2.09 billion contract with the U.S. Army to launch the serial production of the LTAMDS radar systems, which began in April 2025.

Poland became the first international customer of RTX to receive the latest LTAMDS radars. The Polish Ministry of National Defence ordered 12 LTAMDS air and missile defense radars along with 12 autonomous generators for them.

In total, Poland plans to acquire a set of six Patriot PAC-3 air defense batteries as part of the second phase of the Wisła air defense development project. The request includes: 48 Patriot M903 launchers, up to 644 Patriot PAC-3 MSE missiles, 12 LTAMDS air and missile defense radars, and 12 autonomous generators for them.