Raytheon, a business of RTX Corporation, has secured a U.S. Air Force contract to install its PhantomStrike radar on the X‑62A Variable In‑flight Simulation Test Aircraft (VISTA). The award, announced on December 19 2025, assigns Raytheon a role in equipping the Air Force’s premier autonomous flight test platform with a next‑generation, air‑cooled, compact AESA radar that is roughly half the cost of conventional fire‑control systems.
The PhantomStrike radar is lighter than 150 lb, consumes less power, and uses GaN technology to deliver digital beam‑forming, multimode capability, and interleaved ground‑and‑air targeting. Its small footprint and low power draw make it ideal for the VISTA’s mission of validating autonomous flight concepts, including the Skyborg program, and position Raytheon as a key supplier of advanced sensors for future unmanned combat aircraft.
The contract is a strategic win for Raytheon’s advanced sensor and radar business. It expands the company’s presence in the autonomous aircraft market, a segment that is expected to grow as the U.S. Air Force accelerates its unmanned capabilities. RTX’s Q3 2025 results—sales of $22.5 billion, up 12% YoY, and adjusted EPS of $1.70, up 17% YoY—show the company’s strong financial footing. The new contract adds a high‑margin, recurring revenue stream that aligns with RTX’s guidance to raise full‑year 2025 sales and EPS outlooks, reflecting confidence in continued demand for advanced sensor solutions.
The broader defense industry is increasingly focused on autonomous platforms. Raytheon’s PhantomStrike, approved for direct commercial sales, positions the company to capture opportunities beyond the U.S. market, including potential sales to allied air forces seeking cost‑effective, high‑performance radar for light attack and rotary‑wing platforms. Competitors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are developing similar compact AESA solutions, but PhantomStrike’s lower cost and air‑cooled design give it a competitive edge in the emerging autonomous aircraft niche.
Dan Theisen, president of Raytheon Advanced Products & Solutions, said the contract “demonstrates the Air Force’s confidence in Raytheon's technology and underscores our role in enabling the next generation of autonomous fighters.” He added that the partnership will accelerate the development of AI‑driven flight control systems and reinforce RTX’s strategy of integrating advanced sensors across its product portfolio.
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