The US Navy has received the first AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar array from Raytheon Missiles & Defense for deployment on the DDG 51 Flight III-class ship.
The radar will be installed on the future USS Jack H Lucas (DDG 125) guided-missile destroyer. The ship is the first Flight III vessel.
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AN/SPY-6(V)1 is the navy’s next-generation integrated air and missile defence radar.
The SPY-6 family of radars has the capability to simultaneously provide air, missile and surface defence on seven types of US Navy ships.
US Navy Integrated Warfare Systems Program Executive Office and Above-Water Sensors programme manager captain Jason Hall said: “SPY-6 will change how the navy conducts surface fleet operations.
“Our ships will be able to see farther, react quicker, and defend against threats in a way we couldn’t before.”
The 14ft x 14ft modular array was transported by road from the company’s Radar Development Facility in Massachusetts to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) shipyard in Mississippi.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense Naval Power vice-president Kim Ernzen said: “This is the start of what will be a steady stream of SPY-6 array deliveries to the shipyard.
“Threats to navy ships are getting smaller and faster. SPY-6 will extend the navy’s reach against dangers like drones, ballistic missiles, aircraft and unmanned ships.”
In March last year, Raytheon was awarded a $402.65m US Navy contract for the provision of additional SPY-6 radars.
