Lockheed Martin has successfully delivered the first AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antenna for the Aegis System-Equipped Vessel (ASEV) to the Department of Defense.
Lockheed Martin Press Release
The delivery was made through Mitsubishi Corporation under a direct sales (DCS) agreement after rigorous acceptance testing.
“This milestone continues to demonstrate Lockheed Martin’s ability to rapidly scale mature, cutting-edge technologies for Japan,” said Chandra Marshall, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of multidomain combat solutions. said.
The AN/SPY-7 (V)1 antenna will now proceed to final integration with the ASEV combat system at the Moorestown Production Test Center (PTC-2) to support complete system delivery to Japan. This comprehensive integration phase significantly minimizes risks during vessel integration and ensures optimal system performance before delivery.
Lockheed Martin is committed to supporting Japan’s national security objectives. “We plan to maintain this momentum with additional antenna deliveries scheduled for 2025,” Chandra added. This initiative demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s dedication to providing Japan with cutting-edge technology and expertise to ensure safety in the 21st century.
SPY-7: Revolutionizing naval radar capabilities
Lockheed Martin’s solid-state radar technology, known as SPY-7 in naval applications, enables warfighters to make quick and accurate decisions in high-pressure situations. This cutting-edge system has advanced capabilities to detect, track and respond to more complex ballistic missiles and advanced air threats, striking multiple targets simultaneously with proven interceptors.
World-proven technology
Building on the success of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s long-range identification radar, this popular radar technology is planned for future deployments including: Spanish F-110 multi-mission frigate and Canadian River class destroyer. Additionally, a portable version of solid-state radar technology has been deployed to Guam, highlighting its versatility and adaptability.
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Navy News Comment: About ASEV
According to Japan’s Ministry of Defense, the ASEV is 190 meters long, 25 meters wide, and has a standard displacement of 12,000 tons. In contrast, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s cutting-edge Aegis warship, the Maya class, is 170 meters long, 21 meters wide, and has a standard displacement of 8,200 tons. ASEV has a tonnage 1.7 times that of the U.S. Navy’s newest Aegis ship, Arleigh Burke Flight III.
The ASEV vessel is equipped with 128 Vertical Launch System (VLS) cells. This is more than the Maya class destroyer’s Mk41 VLS, which has 96 cells (64 cells forward and 32 cells aft).
To learn more about ASEV, check out this article by Japanese contributor Kosuke Takahashi.
