Raytheon Wins $536 Million Contract for Advanced Naval Radar
Raytheon Technologies has announced that it has secured a substantial $536 million contract with the U.S. Navy for the provision of its cutting-edge SPY-6 radar systems. This major deal encompasses not just the radar units themselves, but also comprehensive training, engineering support, installation aboard Navy ships, system integration, and ongoing software updates designed to enhance the radars’ overall performance. The contract work is set to continue until 2026, ensuring that the Navy’s radar capabilities evolve in step with emerging technologies.
Barbara Borgonovi, President of Naval Power at Raytheon, highlighted the importance of this contract, stating, “SPY-6 is the most advanced radar in the U.S. naval fleet, offering ships a new level of defense against emerging threats.” She further emphasized the essential role this technology plays in bolstering the Navy’s technological roadmap for the foreseeable future.
Current Deployment of SPY-6 Systems
Currently, SPY-6 radar systems are operational on two Navy vessels, with plans to install them on three additional ships within the current year. This deployment marks a significant step forward in modernizing the U.S. Navy’s fleet, as these radars are slated to be integrated into over 60 vessels over the next decade. Such enhancements are aimed at reinforcing the Navy’s combat capabilities and providing better defense measures against evolving maritime threats.
The SPY-6 series is designed to adapt to the diverse needs of various ships, ensuring that the Navy remains at the forefront of naval defense technology. This adaptability not only maximizes the operational effectiveness of each vessel but also helps to maintain superiority in naval warfare.
An Overview of the SPY-6 Radar Family
The SPY-6 radar family comprises a versatile range of four variants, all based on a modular architecture that utilizes what Raytheon calls Radar Modular Assemblies (RMAs). These modules act as building blocks, allowing configurations tailored to the size and mission of each ship. Each RMA is a compact radar antenna housed within a 2x2x2-foot (60x60x60 centimeters) enclosure, ensuring a space-efficient installation without compromising performance.
All four radar variants are designed to provide 360-degree coverage and are equipped to defend against various threats, including cruise missiles, aerial incursions, surface threats, and electronic warfare attacks. This comprehensive capability ensures that Navy vessels can respond effectively to a wide range of operational scenarios.
Detailed Features of SPY-6 Variants
Among the variants, the SPY-6(V)1 stands out, featuring four fixed radar faces equipped with 37 RMAs each. This extensive setup is currently installed on DDG 51 Flight III destroyers and is particularly noted for its advanced tracking capabilities, which include defense against both ballistic and hypersonic missile threats.
The slightly smaller SPY-6(V)4 variant, on the other hand, maintains the four fixed radar faces but utilizes 24 RMAs per face. Additionally, the SPY-6(V)2, designed for amphibious assault ships and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, incorporates a single rotating radar face composed of 9 RMAs. Meanwhile, the SPY-6(V)3 retains the core functionalities of the (V)2 while boasting three fixed radar faces, making it well-suited for Ford-class carriers and the new Constellation-class frigates.
