Lockheed Martin announced first AN/SPY-7(V)1 AESA radars to be used on the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force’s future ASEV destroyers have been delivered.

Japanese Navy’s future destroyer class to be at the forefront of the combatant fleet, Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV), will use Lockheed Martin’s AN/SPY-7(V)1 AESA radars as the main sensor for anti-air warfare. The Japanese MoD has laid out a plan to acquire two ASEVs for commissioning in FY2027 and FY2028.

The radar is also set to be installed on Canada’s River-class (Type 26 CSC) frigates and Spain’s F110 frigates.

AN/SPY-7 can be described as similar to AN/SPY-6’s fixed-panel configurations function-wise, which are currently being installed on U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (Both new and in-service ships in different variants). The radar provides long-range tracking against medium-range ballistic missiles.

ASEV Destroyers

ASEV is a new class of Aegis combat system-equipped destroyers in development by Japan with multiple new features compared to the previous Aegis-equipped destroyers like Kongo-class, Atago-class, and Maya-class.

The ASEV destroyers feature a larger frame compared to the aforementioned destroyer classes, close to Arleigh Burke in specifications. Thanks to this, they will accommodate more potent sensors like the AN/SPY-7 radar and 128 Mk41 VLS cells.

The armament will include SM-6 long-range air defence missiles, SM-3 Block IIA exo-atmospheric anti-ballistic missiles, RGM-109 Tomahawk Block IV/V land-attack cruise missiles, and the Improved Type 12 cruise missiles.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi