Raytheon has entered a significant agreement with Poland’s Military Electronic Works (WZE) to manufacture energy storage assembly modules for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS). This partnership marks WZE as the first international supplier for the radar initiative, which aims to enhance airborne sensing capabilities for the U.S. Army.
The deal further solidifies Poland’s role in the WISŁA air and missile defense program, wherein the nation is procuring systems based on the advanced Patriot technologies from the United States. Raytheon has previously collaborated with Polish industries during Phase 1 of the WISŁA program, and this new agreement is a crucial component of Phase 2, which introduces LTAMDS radars into Poland’s defense infrastructure.
In August 2024, the U.S. Army awarded Raytheon a contract exceeding $2 billion to supply LTAMDS radars to both American and Polish forces, marking Poland as the inaugural international customer for this advanced system. Tom Laliberty, President of Raytheon Land & Air Defense Systems, expressed that this agreement represents a major advancement in establishing a global supply chain for LTAMDS. He highlighted that Poland’s incorporation of LTAMDS alongside the proven Patriot system would offer extended-range and comprehensive 360-degree coverage, enabling detection and defense against complex multi-threat scenarios.
The LTAMDS is designed as a next-generation radar solution, set to replace the legacy systems currently utilized in the U.S. Army’s Patriot configurations. Utilizing gallium nitride semiconductors, this new radar generates over twice the power of its predecessor, leading to enhanced detection range, accuracy, and energy efficiency. Though specific figures remain undisclosed, indications suggest that LTAMDS could detect targets at distances spanning more than 300 kilometers (approximately 186 miles), effectively doubling the capabilities of older radar systems.
The LTAMDS is engineered to address advanced threats, which include hypersonic weapons that can travel in excess of Mach 5 (around 6,174 kilometers/3,836 miles per hour), alongside ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft. The advancements represented by this radar system are poised to significantly enhance Poland’s military capabilities and overall defense strategy within the wider NATO framework.
