AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar, for use in forward-based mode, can now be procured by allies through the Foreign Military Sales program.

Raytheon, maker of the system, said the new approval for export from the U.S. government applies to "several U.S. allies and security partners" but did not identify the countries.

"As ballistic missiles proliferate and become more technically advanced, obtaining the forward-based AN/TPY-2 will enable America's friends and allies to improve the performance of already capable defensive systems such as Patriot," said Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global Integrated Sensors business area. "By acquiring a forward-based mode AN/TPY-2, or using terminal-mode AN/TPY-2 in forward-based mode, customers will significantly enhance their defensive capabilities."

The AN/TPY-2 is a transportable X-band radar that provides long-range acquisition, precision track, and discrimination of all classes of ballistic missiles. AN/TPY-2s are deployed globally in both terminal or forward-based mode. Terminal-mode AN/TPY-2 ballistic missile defense radar is already approved for export as the fire control radar of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system.

Both modes of the radar are physically identical but differ in software configuration for management of radar resources.

In forward-based mode, the AN/TPY-2 is positioned near hostile territory. It acquires ballistic missiles shortly after they are launched. It then tracks the missile and passes critical information to decision-makers and missile defense warfare systems through a command and control battle management network.