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KuRFS
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KuRFS

Raytheon Ku-band radar that detects drones for the US Army's LIDS; first exported 2026.

Raytheon's KuRFS radar recorded its first international sales on 13 October 2026, as part of $729m of LIDS counter-drone contracts for the US Army, Qatar and Jordan, according to RTX.

Last refreshed: 26 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Can a radar built to spot mortar rounds keep up with drone swarms?

Timeline for KuRFS

#19 13 Oct

Recorded its first international sale

Drones: Industry & Defence: Qatar, Jordan, Kuwait buy drone defences
View full timeline →

Background

Raytheon's KuRFS radar recorded its first international sales in October 2026, as part of $729m of LIDS counter-drone contracts for the US Army, Qatar and Jordan, according to RTX.

KuRFS, the Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor, is the radar that Raytheon, an RTX subsidiary, builds as the detection half of the US Army's LIDS; the Coyote interceptor is the other half. It began as a sense-and-warn radar against rockets, artillery and mortars in Iraq and Afghanistan before an urgent Army requirement adapted it for drones. A smaller mobile version is called Ku-720. RTX says the KuRFS family has passed 1.5 million operational hours.

The export deals turn a US Army radar into a Gulf product. Rival buyers such as Kuwait are instead hiring integrators to mix radars from several makers.

Common Questions
What is the KuRFS radar?
KuRFS, the Ku-band Radio Frequency Sensor, is Raytheon's radar for detecting and tracking small drones. It is the detection half of the US Army's LIDS counter-drone system.Source: RTX
Who has bought the KuRFS radar abroad?
Qatar and Jordan, in Raytheon's $729m LIDS contracts of 13 October 2026. RTX calls them the first international sales of KuRFS.Source: RTX
Where did the KuRFS radar come from?
KuRFS began as a radar warning US troops of incoming rockets, artillery and mortars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army later adapted it to detect drones.Source: RTX
Source Material

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.