By John Keller
McKINNEY, Texas - Engineers at the Raytheon Co. Precision Attack and Surveillance Systems division in McKinney, Texas, are developing a secret aircraft radar system for U.S. Special Operations Command.
The radar system, called Silent Knight, is a multi-aircraft-common terrain-following/terrain-avoidance (TF/TA) radar replacement for Special Operations MH-47 and MH-60 helicopters, MC-130 turboprop aircraft, and CV-22 tiltrotor.
The security level of the Silent Knight program is at the secret level of classification.
Raytheon won a contract from U.S. Special Operations Command in December with a potential value of $164.2 million for system design and development-including an option for six low-rate initial production units-of the Silent Knight Radar in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command.
 A U.S. Special Operations MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft takes off from Langkawi, Malaysia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Michael Farris) |
Silent Knight is an above-K-band terrain-following and terrain-avoidance multimode radar to help U.S. Special Operations aircraft infiltrate dangerous areas undetected and at night with reduced risks of crashing while flying at low altitudes.
Special Operations commanders need aircraft capable of flying at low altitudes, at night, and undetected to insert and remove commando forces for special and secret operations behind enemy lines.
Raytheon will perform the work in McKinney, Texas from Jan. 1, 2007, through Dec. 30, 2013. The contract number is H92222-07-C-0041.
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