The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) has awarded Raytheon a contract to develop advanced target-detection capabilities for the SPY-6 family of shipborne radars and future naval radar systems.
Under the contract, Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will develop and test signal- and data-processing algorithms and integrate software upgrades to extend detection range, improve sensitivity, and increase radar efficiency.
The program builds on Raytheon’s work in software-defined apertures and research under previous ONR initiatives, including ASPIRE and STORM, which advanced hardware and software technologies for next-generation radar systems.
Work will be conducted at Raytheon facilities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Andover, Massachusetts, through 2031.
“Modernizing fielded radar systems with software-first upgrades is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to deliver mission-ready capability,” President of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, Colin Whelan, said.
“These enhancements will enable naval operators to detect smaller objects at greater distances and classify targets more quickly, providing the fleet with faster, more informed decision-making.”
SPY-6
The SPY-6 family comprises four variants designed for different US Navy ship classes, providing 360-degree surveillance to detect and track cruise and ballistic missiles, aircraft, surface targets, and electronic warfare threats.
Designed for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the SPY-6(V)1 has four arrays containing 37 Radar Module Assemblies (RMAs) each. Its SPY-6(V)4 variant, intended for Flight IIA destroyers, uses four arrays with 24 RMAs each. Both support integrated air and missile defense.
For amphibious ships, the SPY-6(V)2 features a rotating array, while the SPY-6(V)3 uses three fixed arrays for Ford-class aircraft carriers. The (V)2 is also intended for Nimitz-class carriers.
The radar family is expected to equip more than 50 vessels over the next decade, including destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious warships.