Raytheon's AN/TPY-2 is a transportable X-band active electronically scanned array radar for ballistic-missile defense. It can operate as a forward-based early-tracking sensor or in terminal mode with THAAD, feeding missile-defense networks with track and discrimination data; 2026 reporting also showed the radar's value as a high-priority target during regional missile exchanges.
During the 2026 Iran War, open-source reporting and satellite-imagery analysis identified AN/TPY-2 radars tied to U.S. THAAD deployments among the missile-defense sensors hit by Iranian strikes in Jordan and the Gulf region.
AN/TPY-2 can be read as one radar with two different missile-defense jobs: a forward sensor for early track quality and a terminal sensor for a THAAD battery.
| Mode | Primary job | Network role |
|---|---|---|
| Forward-based | Detects, tracks, and discriminates ballistic missiles at long range. | Feeds early track data into missile-defense command networks before terminal systems engage. |
| Terminal | Works with THAAD to track targets during the endgame. | Provides the fire-control-quality sensor input used to support THAAD intercepts. |
| Test and integration use | Provides live radar data during integrated missile-defense demonstrations. | Has supported C2BMC cueing and Patriot launch-solution demonstrations. |
AN/TPY-2 is organized less by separate public model numbers than by operating mode and production configuration.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forward-based mode | Early track and discrimination configuration | Raytheon describes forward-based AN/TPY-2 operation as a long-range sensor role that detects, tracks, and discriminates ballistic missiles before handing data to the wider missile-defense network. Sources: AN/TPY-2 | Raytheon |
| Terminal mode | THAAD battery radar configuration | Raytheon describes terminal-mode AN/TPY-2 operation as the configuration that works with THAAD to identify and track targets and guide interceptors. Sources: AN/TPY-2 | Raytheon |
| GaN-populated production radar | Updated production configuration | RTX said the 13th AN/TPY-2 radar delivered to MDA was the first U.S. missile-defense radar populated with gallium nitride components. Sources: RTX 13th AN/TPY-2 delivery |
AN/TPY-2 is a sensor node inside layered missile-defense architectures rather than a standalone interceptor system.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Terminal ballistic missile defense system | Raytheon describes AN/TPY-2 terminal-mode operation as the radar configuration that works with THAAD to identify, track, and support interceptor engagements. Sources: AN/TPY-2 | Raytheon |
 | Battle-management system | Lockheed Martin's FTO-02 E2 test report says AN/TPY-2 detected the target and relayed track information to C2BMC to cue defending BMDS assets. |
 | Air and missile defense system | USSTRATCOM's joint integrated air-and-missile-defense demonstration described AN/TPY-2 data supporting a Patriot weapon-system launch solution and PAC-3 MSE intercept. Sources: USSTRATCOM Joint IAMD demonstration |
MDAA places AN/TPY-2 fielding in 2004 as a transportable X-band sensor for U.S. ballistic-missile defense.
Sources: MDAA AN/TPY-2 system profile
A U.S. joint integrated air-and-missile-defense demonstration used AN/TPY-2 data to support a Patriot launch solution and PAC-3 MSE intercept.
Sources: USSTRATCOM Joint IAMD demonstration
RTX reported delivery of the 13th AN/TPY-2 radar to the Missile Defense Agency and identified it as the first U.S. missile-defense radar populated with GaN components.
Sources: RTX 13th AN/TPY-2 delivery
Breaking Defense reported that Iranian targeting of THAAD-linked TPY-2 radars during the 2026 Iran War underscored the operational importance and exposure of forward missile-defense sensors.
Sources: Breaking Defense THAAD TPY-2 radar strike analysis
