US-based defence contractor Raytheon has opened a $72m radar development and manufacturing facility at its campus in Andover, Massachusetts.
The new 30,000ft² plant will focus on the development of advanced automation technology to support complex radar testing and integration operations.
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Raytheon project programme manager Sarah Jennette said: “We built the new radar development facility with the future, and our customers, in mind.
“This advanced manufacturing campus now has the ability to work from atoms all the way up to massive radar arrays.”
The company noted that the new radar facility is intended to provide high levels of quality, reliability and repeatability, as well as fast delivery times.
The plant comprises two near-field radar test ranges, in addition to the aerospace and defence industry’s first ‘dual robotic’ system for the assembly of radar arrays.
In addition, it features a 1.5MW substation in order to meet power requirements for current and future radar programmes.
Jennette added: “From physical size, to power capabilities, to automated tech, we are building for the future of radar.
“As the next step in our advanced manufacturing roadmap, it follows on the heels of our recently announced $100m radar manufacturing plant to be built in Forest, Mississippi.”
The Andover facility is slated to be equipped with automated guided vehicles to enable the autonomous movement of materials.
Raytheon is expected to use the new radar development facility to help both domestic and international clients with the integration and testing of current and future radar programmes.
The facility has already commenced its services by supporting the US Navy’s next-generation integrated air and missile defence radar, AN/SPY-6, which has now entered low-rate initial production.
