Lockheed Martin demonstrates SPY-7 radar integration into the Aegis Weapon System

Asia-Pacific, News, US January 31, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. defense firm Lockheed Martin is set to enhance Japan’s Defense with Aegis and SPY-7 software demonstration

Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated the integration of the AN/SPY-7(v)1 radar into the Aegis Weapon System, performing the required process to detect, track and discriminate ballistic missile threats, and successfully guiding interceptors to counter such threats.

The company’s press release stated: “The successful demonstration of the complete ballistic missile defense fire control loop is a critical milestone in the development of the SPY-7 equipped Aegis Combat System. The demonstration was witnessed by both the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy Aegis Technical Representative.”

Vice president and general manager of Naval Combat and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin, Joe DePietro said, “The SPY-7 radar brings superior capability to sea or land-based platforms, utilizing proven production technology scaled from the Long Range Discrimination Radar, which recently achieved initial fielding in Clear, Alaska.”

“As new threats emerge, SPY-7 integrated with Aegis will protect Japan and its citizens,” DePietro added.

*^{Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated the integration of the AN/SPY-7(v)1 radar into the Aegis Weapon System on January 27, 2022. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

Lockheed Martin is modifying its production test center facility located at its Moorestown, N.J. site to prepare for the live SPY-7 radar integration and test for Japan’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) program.

According to the statement, “Like other radar programs of this magnitude, this test facility will be used to validate end-item hardware and software performance prior to shipment to Japan, provide early lessons-learned to streamline equipment installation on the ASEV ship platform, and support maintenance and training efforts ahead of system deployment.”

SPY-7 is a scalable radar framework that is capable of providing protection from ballistic missiles through Aegis Ship and Ashore programs. It can detect, track, and engage sophisticated ballistic missiles and advanced air threats, including multiple missiles at the same time. The SPY-7 is also interoperable with the world’s major radars and defense platforms and has a digital footprint that is capable of enabling each country’s platform to evolve in real time and outpace future threats.

According to the information on Lockheed Martin’s official website, the core technology of SPY-7 derives from the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) program. It has been declared Technical Readiness Level 7 by the U.S. Government – which means the prototypes are ready now for operational deployment.