Raytheon announced the deal for SPY-6 AESA radar family, which includes the upgrade of Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyers by the radar’s integration. 

SPY-6, currently in use with various U.S. Navy warships in different configurations, will be integrated into Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyers as an upgrade to replace the AN/SPY-1 radars.

The configuration of SPY-6 to be used on Arleigh Burke Flight IIA is the AN/SPY-6(V)4, which is identical to the baseline AN/SPY-6(V)1 set for the newer Arleigh Burke Flight III but with fewer modules. This will allow upgraded Flight IIA destroyers to keep up with the Flight III destroyers, which are being built to succeed the older Flight I destroyers.

The destroyers are currently using the AN/SPY-1D PESA radar which performs search in a hemisphere with four panels and provides track for air defence missiles like RIM-162 ESSM, SM-2, and SM-3 anti-ballistic missile.

Compared to AN/SPY-1D, AN/SPY-6(V)4 brings the advantages of increased sensitivity (and thus effective range) thanks to the use of the AESA technology and GaN semiconductors. Tests of the radar are ongoing; one was performed with an SM-2 long-range air defence missile in 2024.

SPY-6 Radar Family

SPY-6 has been developed in four configurations as a scalable radar family for different types of U.S. Navy ships. Each configuration has a different set of Radar Modular Assemblies (RMAs) to answer the specific needs. Some are fixed panel types like AN/SPY-1, while the others are in turning configuration.

•              AN/SPY-6(V)1: Used for Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers, with 37 RMAs, thanks to improved power generation. Uses four fixed panels.

•              AN/SPY-6(V)2 EASR: Rotating configuration with 9 RMAs for use on LPDs, LHAs, and Nmitz-class aircraft carrier upgrade as a searching radar.

•              AN/SPY-6(V)3: Three fixed panels configuration for the Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers as a volume search radar. Identical to AN/SPY-6(V)2.

•              AN/SPY-6(V)4: Scaled down 23 RMAs configuration of AN/SPY-6(V)1 for Arleigh Burke Flight IIA destroyers due to power generation constraints.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi