Raytheon secures major SharpSight radar order in global distribution deal

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Raytheon

Raytheon has received its largest order to date for its SharpSight surveillance radar, with distribution partner Blue Raven signing a contract for 120 systems as the companies look to broaden access to the sensor for international and domestic customers. 

RTX said on May 6, 2026, that Raytheon, one of its three main business units, will produce the radars under the agreement. Blue Raven, formerly Crestwood Technology Group, will handle global resale and distribution. 

The companies did not disclose the value of the contract. 

SharpSight is a platform-agnostic, multi-domain surveillance radar designed for manned and unmanned aircraft. Raytheon said operators can use the system on manned and unmanned aircraft for anti-surface warfare, border protection, coastal monitoring, search and rescue, and long-range surveillance missions. 

The 120-unit order gives Raytheon a larger production base for SharpSight as it works to shorten delivery timelines for customers seeking advanced surveillance capability. The company said it plans to build radar systems in bulk to support higher monthly output and reduce the time between contract award and delivery. 

“This contract is a clear signal of strong global demand for SharpSight and the advanced surveillance capabilities it brings to the fight,” said Dan Theisen, President of Advanced Products and Solutions at Raytheon. 

Theisen said the partnership with Blue Raven is intended to make the radar easier and more affordable to field for customers with different fleet sizes and mission needs. 

“By partnering with Blue Raven, we’re making it easier and more affordable for customers to field this capability at the scale that fits their mission, whether that’s a small fleet or a larger enterprise deployment,” Theisen said. 
 
Blue Raven is a defense and aerospace supply-chain/distribution company. Raytheon builds and supports the SharpSight radar, while Blue Raven helps sell and distribute it to customers globally. 

Blue Raven will focus on expanding the radar’s market across a wider range of aircraft, fleets and mission profiles. The company said the arrangement should improve access, reduce lead times and support more stable pricing for customers. 

“We’re excited to partner with Raytheon on SharpSight, to grow its market across a broader range of platforms, fleets and mission profiles,” said Paul Elefonte, Chief Growth Officer at Blue Raven. “This collaboration will help improve accessibility, reduce lead times and maintain price stability, creating a stronger path to field this advanced capability at scale.” 

Raytheon described the order as part of a broader push to accelerate production, shorten lead times and deliver critical defense capabilities faster and more affordably. 

The SharpSight order also comes as Raytheon continues to highlight advanced sensors and radar systems as a core part of its defense portfolio. RTX said Raytheon provides defense technologies across air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space systems, hypersonics and missile defense. 

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