NAVSEA and Congressional Research Service disagree over needing a fire control radar (FCR) for future Constellation-class frigates.
Naval News has reported that the Congressional Research Service has criticised the lack of an FCR on the frigates with Arleigh Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers carrying multiple AN/SPG-62 FCRs for ESSM Block 1 and older SM-2 air defence missiles which require illumination.
NAVSEA has responded to Naval News regarding the subject by pointing out the air defence missiles to be used on the frigates. The frigates will use SM-6 and ESSM Block 2 missiles featuring active RF seekers derived from AIM-120 AMRAAMs. Thus, NAVSEA insists that illumination isn't necessary with newer missiles featuring more autonomous guidance, which it views as important against saturation attacks.
Additionally, AN/SPY-6 AESA radar used on the frigates can perform illumination upon need.
Turkiye has taken a similar approach with the TF-2000 air defence destroyers by ditching the fixed-face FCRs from the ÇAFRAD multi-band radar. This is because the ship will use air defence missiles with active RF seekers, and its multi-function radar will likely undertake the FCR role in extreme cases.
