USAF awards Raytheon PhantomStrike radar for X-62A VISTA to expand AI-enabled autonomy testing

The U.S. Air Force has contracted Raytheon to fit its air-cooled, compact PhantomStrike fire-control radar onto the X-62A VISTA — a modified F-16D Block 30 test aircraft upgraded with Block 40 avionics and machine-learning software. The smaller, lower-power radar will enable AI 'pilot' autonomy experiments that control sensors and weapons.

Discovered 2025-12-18T14:05:09.596594-08:00 | 2025-12-18T14:05:09.596594-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Equips a production‑representative, low‑power fire‑control sensor on the USAF's X‑62A VISTA testbed, enabling live experiments where autonomy directly controls radar sensors and combat engagements; this moves autonomy testing from software‑only to hardware‑in‑the‑loop validation. See USAF selection of autonomy providers for CCA prototypes: https://hype.aero/?story=02092787-bbf8-4372-882e-d7df8a9e0906
  • Signals Raytheon's push to field smaller, air‑cooled radar solutions for uncrewed, light‑attack and rotary platforms, following its recent EW and radar milestones — relevant for sensor roadmaps and integration paths: https://hype.aero/?story=a530a719-03fb-4ec3-b67f-c4903f9ed79f
  • Builds on an emerging ecosystem of AI flight testbeds and "loyal wingman" experiments, complementing recent autonomy test programs such as the Scaled Composites Vanguard — indicating a broader shift to integrated autonomy and sensor suites: https://hype.aero/?story=a1129549-ed66-4e59-ae81-6027db2c0848

Reported By

zona-militar.com realcleardefense.com defence.m5dergi.com The Aviationist news.ssbcrack.com asdnews.com
Sources Tracked
25
First Seen
2025-12-18T14:05:09.596594-08:00
Latest Update
2025-12-24T10:28:23.231395-08:00
Coverage
Defense

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