Raytheon and Kongsberg advance GhostEye radar aevelopment for NASAMS air defence system

GhostEye is a mobile, medium-range radar designed to enhance air and missile defence capabilities, offering 360-degree surveillance and fire control. “GhostEye can be mounted on various vehicles, making it suitable for any operational environment,” said Tom Laliberty, president of Land and Air Defense Systems at Raytheon.

The project is funded under an existing collaborative agreement for NASAMS, signed in October 2023 by Raytheon, Kongsberg, and the Norwegian government. It marks the first formal initiative under that arrangement, with Kongsberg co-developing two critical components of the radar.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace President Eirik Lie highlighted the longstanding cooperation as key to NASAMS’ success. “Continuous development and improvements from both Kongsberg and Raytheon are among the key factors behind the NASAMS success story,” he stated.

The GhostEye radar is designed for rapid deployment across diverse terrain, capable of detecting and tracking cruise missiles, drones, and various aircraft types. It uses active electronically scanned array technology, which improves detection, targeting, and tracking functions.

The system is also equipped with military-grade gallium nitride, enhancing signal strength and enabling longer-range, high-resolution performance. This technology supports GhostEye’s role in expanding NASAMS capabilities and maintaining its global leadership in medium-range air defence.

Norwegian defence officials stressed the radar’s strategic value to national and allied security. “The NASAMS air defense system is strategically important for Norway’s defense capabilities and crucial for safeguarding national security interests,” said Rolf Kjos, National Armaments Director at the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Defence.

He added, “It has also proven to be crucial for safeguarding Ukraine against air threats.” The continued enhancement of NASAMS through the GhostEye radar is expected to strengthen the defence posture of Norway and other partner nations.

Raytheon and Kongsberg have collaborated on NASAMS for over three decades, and this week at the Paris Air Show, they extended their teaming agreement by another ten years. The development of GhostEye marks a new chapter in this enduring transatlantic defence cooperation.