Military Technology
RTX Unveils APG82VX Radar with Advanced Gallium Nitride Technology
RTX introduces APG-82(V)X radar featuring gallium nitride tech for enhanced range, speed, and multi-mission flexibility in defense applications.
Introduction
The defense technology sector marked a significant milestone on September 23, 2025, when RTX Corporation revealed its latest Radar-Systems innovation: the APG-82(V)X, featuring advanced gallium nitride (GaN) technology. This development is not just an incremental upgrade but a shift in radar design and performance, promising increased range, improved processing speed, and multi-mission flexibility. The APG-82(V)X is positioned to address the evolving threat spectrum facing modern air forces and allied partners worldwide.
The integration of GaN technology into radar systems reflects a broader trend in the defense industry, where wide-bandgap semiconductors are increasingly replacing legacy materials. This shift enables higher power efficiency, better thermal management, and greater reliability, key attributes for next-generation military applications. As the global security environment becomes more complex, innovations like the APG-82(V)X are critical for maintaining tactical and strategic advantages.
Understanding the significance of this radar system requires a look at both its technological underpinnings and its broader impact on defense strategy, manufacturing, and the global radar market. This article examines the historical context, technical enhancements, manufacturing approach, and the implications of RTX’s latest radar breakthrough.
Historical and Technological Context
The APG-82 radar family has its roots in decades of U.S. Air Force modernization, evolving from earlier systems such as the APG-63 and APG-70. The original APG-82 was developed to upgrade the F-15E Strike Eagle fleet, leveraging active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology that had already proven itself in platforms like the Navy’s F/A-18E/F and the F-15C. AESA radars are renowned for their ability to track multiple targets, resist jamming, and offer high reliability due to their solid-state design.
The new APG-82(V)X builds on this legacy by incorporating gallium nitride semiconductors. GaN technology, long recognized as a game-changer in electronic warfare and radar, offers a wider bandgap than traditional materials like gallium arsenide (GaAs) or silicon. This allows for higher voltages, frequencies, and temperatures, directly translating into improved radar performance, especially in terms of range and power efficiency.
Raytheon, now part of RTX, has invested over $200 million and more than 15 years into GaN research and development. This commitment has resulted in proprietary Manufacturing techniques and successful deployment of GaN-based systems across various defense platforms, including the Patriot missile defense system and the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR). The U.S. government has also identified GaN as a strategic material, underlining its importance for national security and technological leadership.
Evolution of AESA Radar and GaN in Defense
AESA radars revolutionized air combat by enabling rapid electronic beam steering, simultaneous multi-target tracking, and robust resistance to electronic countermeasures. The APG-82(V)X, with its GaN-based transmit/receive modules, represents the latest step in this evolution. GaN’s superior power density and efficiency allow for more compact and reliable radars, crucial for Military-Aircraft where space, weight, and cooling are at a premium.
Military adoption of GaN began in earnest with electronic warfare systems and anti-IED jammers, where its broadband capabilities proved invaluable. As the technology matured, its use expanded into high-performance radar systems, providing a critical edge in detection and engagement ranges. The APG-82(V)X is a direct beneficiary of these advances, offering capabilities that were previously unattainable with legacy materials.
Raytheon’s leadership in GaN radar technology is reinforced by its long-standing relationships with the U.S. Department of Defense and allied militaries. The company’s ability to scale GaN production and integrate it into fielded systems provides a significant competitive advantage in the global defense market.
“The enhanced capability of this next-generation radar enables aircrew to detect and engage threats at longer ranges than ever before, providing a crucial first-look, first-shoot advantage.” — Dan Theisen, President, Advanced Products and Solutions, Raytheon
Technical Enhancements and Manufacturing Strategy
The APG-82(V)X radar system’s primary innovation lies in its use of GaN technology. GaN’s wide bandgap (about 3.4 eV, compared to silicon’s 1.2 eV) allows for higher voltage operation, improved efficiency, and better thermal performance. This results in radars that can transmit at higher power levels, extending detection range, without requiring proportionally larger power supplies or cooling systems.
Compared to previous-generation GaAs-based radars, GaN amplifiers can handle 5-10 times more power density and achieve efficiencies of 50-65% (versus 25-40% for GaAs). The APG-82(V)X’s open architecture further ensures compatibility with current and future aircraft, supporting rapid upgrades and integration of new capabilities as threats evolve. Its multi-function design enables air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic warfare missions simultaneously.
Manufacturing of the APG-82(V)X is centered at RTX’s El Segundo, California, facility, with mature production lines in Forest, Mississippi. This approach leverages established processes and a skilled workforce, reducing production risk and supporting predictable Delivery schedules. The modular, scalable design allows for flexible production volumes and easier adaptation for international customers or new platforms.
Processing Power and Operational Flexibility
The APG-82(V)X is equipped with advanced signal processing algorithms and increased processor speed, enabling faster and more accurate target detection and tracking. This is especially critical in contested environments where rapid decision-making can mean the difference between mission success and failure. The radar’s ability to operate in challenging electromagnetic environments ensures continued effectiveness against sophisticated threats, including cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems.
Its open architecture not only supports current mission requirements but also allows for integration with artificial intelligence and machine learning tools in the future. This positions the radar to adapt to emerging threats and operational concepts, such as multi-domain operations and networked warfare, where information sharing and rapid response are paramount.
RTX’s investment in GaN manufacturing infrastructure ensures a reliable supply chain for these critical components, supporting both domestic and international demand. The company’s vertical integration, from R&D to manufacturing, provides control over quality and intellectual property, further strengthening its market position.
“GaN technology enables military radars to operate at much higher frequencies and powers, while being used in jammers that allow aircraft to fly undetected.” — Colin Humphreys, Professor of Physics, Cambridge University
Market Impact and Strategic Applications
The APG-82(V)X enters a market characterized by robust growth in GaN semiconductor devices. The global market for GaN components was valued at over $3 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed $12 billion by 2030, with defense and aerospace as major drivers. In the U.S., the market for GaN devices is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 26% through 2030, fueled by military modernization and increased demand for high-performance radar and electronic warfare systems.
RTX’s financial strength underpins its ability to invest in and deliver advanced technologies. With 2024 sales of $80.7 billion and a $218 billion backlog (including $93 billion in defense), the company is well positioned to support large-scale production and sustainment of the APG-82(V)X. The U.S. Air Force’s $3.12 billion, 15-year Contracts for APG-82 systems underscores the military’s commitment to this technology platform.
The APG-82(V)X is primarily intended for the F-15EX Eagle II, a key element of the U.S. Air Force’s fleet modernization. Its enhanced capabilities, greater range, faster processing, and multi-mission flexibility, are designed to counter advanced threats in highly contested environments. The radar’s scalability and open architecture also make it attractive for international customers, with foreign military sales channels already established.
Competitive Landscape and Future Development
The AESA radar market is moderately concentrated, with RTX, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin holding significant shares. RTX’s advantage lies in its proprietary GaN manufacturing and real-time cognitive radar algorithms. The company’s strategy of modular, open-architecture systems ensures continued relevance as new threats and operational concepts emerge.
Future developments are expected to focus on even higher power densities, improved thermal management, and integration with AI for adaptive threat response. RTX and DARPA are already collaborating on next-generation GaN transistors with diamond thermal management, aiming for substantial increases in output power. These innovations will further extend the capabilities of systems like the APG-82(V)X.
Regulatory and export control considerations will continue to shape the market, with GaN technology recognized as a strategic asset. The CHIPS and Science Act and similar policies support domestic semiconductor manufacturing, ensuring supply chain security and technological leadership for U.S. and allied defense programs.
Conclusion
RTX’s unveiling of the APG-82(V)X radar system marks a pivotal advancement in military radar technology. By harnessing the unique properties of gallium nitride, the APG-82(V)X offers unmatched range, efficiency, and operational flexibility, attributes that are essential for maintaining air superiority in an increasingly complex threat environment. The system’s open architecture and modular design ensure that it will remain adaptable to future technological and operational developments.
The broader implications of this development extend beyond immediate military capability. RTX’s leadership in GaN technology strengthens the U.S. defense industrial base, supports high-skilled jobs, and positions the company to capture a significant share of a rapidly growing global market. As military requirements evolve and new threats emerge, sustained Investments in advanced radar and semiconductor technologies will remain essential for national security and allied defense cooperation.
FAQ
What is gallium nitride (GaN) and why is it important for radar?
GaN is a wide-bandgap semiconductor material that allows for higher power, efficiency, and thermal performance compared to traditional materials. In radar systems, this translates to longer detection ranges, better reliability, and more compact designs.
Which aircraft will use the APG-82(V)X radar?
The APG-82(V)X is primarily intended for the F-15EX Eagle II, but its open architecture allows for integration with other current and future military aircraft.
How does the APG-82(V)X compare to previous radars?
The APG-82(V)X offers increased range, faster processing, and enhanced multi-mission capability due to its GaN-based design. It is more efficient and reliable than previous GaAs-based radars.
Is the APG-82(V)X available for international customers?
Yes, the radar’s design and established contract structures allow for foreign military sales to allied nations.
What is the significance of RTX’s manufacturing strategy?
By leveraging established facilities and mature production lines, RTX ensures reliable delivery, scalability, and quality control for the APG-82(V)X program.
Sources: RTX Corporation
Photo Credit: RTX
Military Technology
Honeywell Aerospace and Shield AI Complete Autonomous ISR Mission
Honeywell Aerospace and Shield AI completed a two-aircraft autonomous ISR mission near Phoenix after just six weeks of Hivemind platform training.
Honeywell Aerospace and Shield AI have successfully completed two autonomous flight demonstrations, culminating in a coordinated intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission on October 8, 2026, near Phoenix, Arizona.
The milestone, announced in a press release on October 13, 2026, highlights the rapid integration of advanced autonomy using open architecture technologies, with Honeywell engineers achieving their first autonomous flight after just six weeks of training on Shield AI’s Hivemind Enterprise platform.
Rapid autonomy integration and flight milestones
The autonomy development effort began in late April 2026 when Honeywell Aerospace’s team started training on the Hivemind Enterprise platform. By mid-June 2026, the team flew a BFD-SE8 multirotor aircraft autonomously for the first time. This development process was originally estimated to take 54 weeks before the integration of the Hivemind system.
The first official autonomous flight demonstration took place on July 8, 2026, in Plymouth, Minnesota. During this event, the aircraft autonomously executed a planned mission that included dynamic rerouting around a designated no-fly zone.
The program advanced to a multi-aircraft operation on October 8, 2026. Two aircraft running the Hivemind software completed a coordinated ISR mission near Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft autonomously shared target information and divided mission responsibilities without human intervention.
Tom Schaefer, Vice President of Hivemind Enterprise at Shield AI, highlighted the efficiency of the integration process:
“Honeywell Aerospace engineers flew their first autonomous aircraft within weeks, work their engineering leads estimated would normally take a year. Hivemind Enterprise handled the autonomy basics, so the team could spend its time on its own detection and tracking model. We built Hivemind so partners can work this way.”
The Hivemind platform and open architecture
The Hivemind Enterprise platform packages Shield AI’s development environment with its onboard autonomy software. It provides core functions such as route planning, mission management, and aircraft-to-aircraft communication. The system is designed to enable swarms of drones and aircraft to operate autonomously without GPS, communications, or a human pilot.
The autonomous flights integrated Honeywell Aerospace’s o480 inertial navigation system and Anthem avionics portfolio with the Shield AI software stack.
Todd Giles, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer at Honeywell Aerospace, emphasized the broader implications for the industry:
“Open architectures are changing the pace of innovation in aerospace, and this milestone demonstrates how Honeywell Aerospace can rapidly translate advanced autonomy into real-world capability. By combining our expertise in avionics, navigation, sensing and autonomy, we are helping create a scalable foundation for the next generation of autonomous aircraft and mission systems.”
Honeywell Aerospace’s independent trajectory and Shield AI partnership
The collaboration between the two companies was formalized on July 22, 2026, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Farnborough International Airshow. The agreement focuses on developing a trusted autonomy software stack on Shield AI’s Hivemind Software Development Kit.
The autonomous flight milestones follow a major corporate transition for Honeywell Aerospace. On June 29, 2026, the company completed its spin-off from parent company Honeywell International. It now operates as an independent, publicly traded company on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol HONA. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, the tier-1 aerospace and defense supplier employs over 36,000 people and serves more than 10,000 global customers.
Shield AI, a venture-backed defense technology company based in San Diego, California, has seen increasing adoption of its AI pilots. The Hivemind system has piloted more than 40 different platforms to date, including F-16 fighter jets, Helicopters, and ground vehicles. On October 7, 2026, Shield AI and Kraken Technology Group demonstrated autonomous maritime teaming by integrating Hivemind onto uncrewed surface vessels in Portsmouth, United Kingdom.
AirPro News analysis
The reduction of an autonomy development cycle from an estimated 54 weeks to just six weeks is a material shift in how aerospace primes integrate third-party artificial intelligence. As defense sectors globally push for the rapid deployment of autonomous systems in contested environments, the bottleneck has often been the bespoke integration of flight control and mission management software. By utilizing an open architecture platform that handles baseline autonomy, tier-1 suppliers like Honeywell Aerospace can focus engineering resources on proprietary sensor integration and specific mission capabilities. We view this successful multi-aircraft demonstration as a validation of the open-systems approach, likely accelerating the timeline for fielding collaborative combat aircraft and autonomous ISR swarms.
Photo Credit: Honeywell Aerospace
Military Technology
Whisper Aero eQ250 Completes First Crewed Flight Tests
Whisper Aero reaches TRL 7 with eQ250 electric ducted fans after crewed flights in Tennessee, recording 52 dB(A) at 100 feet.
Whisper Aero has successfully completed the first crewed flight tests of its eQ250 electric ducted fans, achieving a Technology Readiness Level greater than 7 and clearing the path for integration into upcoming Military-Aircraft and civil aircraft programs.
The mid-August 2026 test campaign took place at Crossville Memorial Airport (KCSV) in Tennessee. According to official statements released on August 19, 2026, by Whisper Aero and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the flights validated the ultra-quiet acoustic signature of the propulsion system in real-world conditions.
Flight test campaign and acoustic performance
The test vehicle, designated the Whisper Powered Swift, is a modified Aériane Swift 3 glider with a 46-foot wingspan. Whisper Aero retrofitted the airframe with two 10-inch eQ250 propulsors, each capable of producing up to 85 pounds of static thrust. Power was supplied by five Electric Power Systems EPiC 1.0 battery modules.
Test pilot Zac Majors conducted three flights totaling more than 130 minutes in the air. The crewed flights followed a phased testing progression that included progressively ballasted glider flights, aircraft integration testing, formal readiness reviews, and more than 1,000 hours of ground-based Propulsion life testing.
Acoustic measurements taken during early morning flights demonstrated the low noise profile of the eQ250 fans. With an ambient noise level of 34 dB(A), the aircraft produced only 52 dB(A) while flying at an altitude of 100 feet.
“Any new technology needs strong proof points. This is a very strong proof point. These propulsors are absolutely as quiet as we said they are.”
Whisper Aero Chief Executive Officer Mark Moore noted that adding the propulsors to a glider allowed the company to demonstrate that the engines at full throttle add virtually no noise to the baseline acoustic signature of the airframe.
Chief Operating Officer Ian Villa detailed the regulatory and safety steps preceding the flights. The company processed the modifications through its AS9100 quality management system and secured a special airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before commencing the powered flight phase.
Defense applications and future development
Reaching Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 indicates that the eQ250 propulsors have been demonstrated in an operational environment and are ready for deployment on partner aircraft. Whisper Aero is currently involved in multiple defense programs that will utilize this propulsion technology.
In June 2026, the US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded a Contracts to Mach Industries and Whisper Aero for the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program. The companies are co-developing a hybrid-electric prototype aircraft named Atlas, which is designed to launch from ships lacking large flight decks.
Whisper Aero is also under contract with the US Air Force to develop the Collaborative Logistics Aircraft (CLA). This family of autonomous aircraft is intended for contested logistics operations, with initial testing scheduled for 2027.
The recent flight tests in Tennessee were supported by a $500,000 Transportation Network Growth Opportunity grant awarded to Tennessee Tech University by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development in April 2025. Following the successful flights in Crossville, Whisper Aero plans to conduct further acoustic measurement tests and evaluations with government customers at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico later this year.
AirPro News analysis
We view the use of a modified glider as a highly effective method for isolating propulsion noise during acoustic testing. By establishing a baseline with the unpowered Aériane Swift 3, Whisper Aero generated clean data proving that the eQ250 fans do not significantly increase the airframe’s overall noise footprint. Achieving TRL 7 is a critical milestone for any aerospace Startups, as it transitions the technology from experimental status to a viable product for integration. The immediate application of these propulsors in the DIU RIMES and USAF CLA programs highlights the strong demand for low-acoustic-signature propulsion in military logistics and expeditionary roles.
Sources: Whisper Aero
Photo Credit: Whisper Aero
Military Technology
Saab Unveils A3-001 Supersonic Stealth Drone Concept
Saab revealed the A3-001 uncrewed combat air system concept at Malmen Air Base, targeting mid-2030s operations alongside the Gripen E.
Saab AB unveiled a full-scale concept model of a supersonic, low-observable uncrewed combat air system, designated the A3-001, during the Jubilee Air Show at Malmen Air Base in Linköping, Sweden, on August 22, 2026.
The presentation, which coincided with the 100th anniversary of the Swedish Air Force, outlines the manufacturers vision for a high-end autonomous platform designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Saab Gripen E. According to a company press release, the A3-001 is intended for high-risk missions in heavily defended airspace, including electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and precision strikes.
Pathway to the A3-001 concept
While the A3-001 represents a future operational vision targeted for the mid-2030s, Saab is currently developing two uncrewed technology demonstrators, designated A1 and A2, under its Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) roadmap. These initial demonstrators are funded by the Swedish Ministry of Defence.
Reporting by The War Zone indicates that the A1 demonstrator is expected to make its first flight within approximately 15 months. The A1 will be powered by a General Electric (GE) F414 engine, which is the same powerplant utilized in the Gripen E and F models.
“We are currently in an intensive development phase where, together with Sweden, we are exploring technologies that will lay the foundation for the next generation of combat air systems,” said Peter Nilsson, Head of Business Unit Advanced Programs at Saab AB. “As part of this work, we intend to fly uncrewed demonstrators with fighter-like characteristics before 2030 as we support Sweden in considering their future options.”
Strategic positioning and future combat systems
The A3-001 concept falls under Sweden’s broader Koncept för Framtida Stridsflygplan (KFS), or Concept for Future Combat Aircraft project. The War Zone notes that the A3-001 is positioned as a higher-end, larger, and faster platform compared to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) currently under development for the United States Air Forces.
Saab intends for the A3-001 to leverage the company’s existing sensor and command infrastructure. Nilsson stated that the A3 system is a concept for what could follow the demonstrator phase should the Swedish government decide to proceed with development.
“Saab is well positioned to develop the next generation of combat air systems building on Gripen and GlobalEye, combined with our long experience in advanced aerospace systems,” Nilsson said.
AirPro News analysis
We view Saab’s decision to power the near-term A1 demonstrator with the GE F414 engine as a pragmatic approach to reducing developmental risk. By utilizing the same propulsion system as the Gripen E, Saab ensures immediate logistical and maintenance commonality, which is critical for testing manned-unmanned teaming concepts. It is necessary to distinguish between the funded A1 and A2 demonstrators and the A3-001 mock-up showcased on August 22, 2026. The A3-001 remains a company-funded concept illustrating potential future capabilities rather than an active acquisition program. Its realization will depend entirely on future procurement decisions by the Swedish Armed Forces following the data gathered from the A1 and A2 flight test campaigns.
Sources: Saab AB
Photo Credit: Saab AB
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