Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded an Office of Naval Research contract to develop advanced target-detection capabilities for naval radar systems, with work split between the company’s Portsmouth facility and a site in Andover, Massachusetts, through 2031, according to the company.
The company’s Advanced Technology team will develop and test signal and data-processing algorithms and integrate software upgrades intended to extend detection range, increase sensitivity and improve radar efficiency, according to RTX. The upgrades are to undergo laboratory and field testing before transitioning into Raytheon’s SPY-6 family of radars and other future naval radars.
“Modernizing fielded radar systems with software-first upgrades is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver mission-ready capability,” Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, said in a statement. “These enhancements will enable naval operators to detect smaller objects at greater distances and classify targets more quickly, providing the fleet with faster, more informed decision-making.”
The program builds on earlier Office of Naval Research work, including initiatives the company identified as ASPIRE and STORM, according to RTX.
The company said it is expanding its engineering workforce to support military programs, with openings for early-career and experienced engineers and veterans. The announcement did not say how many positions are tied to this contract or how many would be based in Portsmouth.
RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, reported more than $88 billion in 2025 sales and employs more than 180,000 people worldwide, according to the company.
