Raytheon, an RTX business, has been awarded a $677 million contract to continue the production of AN/SPY-6(V) radars for the U.S. Navy, according to a press release.
This contract is the third option exercised from a March 2022 hardware, production, and sustainment agreement valued up to $3 billion over five years.
Under this contract, the U.S. Navy will procure seven additional SPY-6 radars, bringing the total number of radars under contract to 38. Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, highlighted the significance of this advancement, stating, “SPY-6 provides the fleet with superior air surveillance, electronic warfare protection and enhanced detection abilities. This contract is a significant step forward in ensuring this technology is delivered to ships to improve the overall self-defense of the fleet.”
The U.S. Navy has begun integrating SPY-6 radars into its surface fleet, starting with the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), which was commissioned in October 2023. The USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29), the second ship to receive this radar system and the first to deploy the (V)2 variant, was delivered to the Navy on April 11, 2024, after successful builder’s and acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. The SPY-6(V)2 radar not only defends against missile threats but also provides air traffic control capabilities.
The SPY-6 family of radars, described by Raytheon as the most tested and advanced radar technology currently in production, is projected to be deployed on 65 U.S. Navy ships over the next decade.
These radars are designed to defend against air, surface, and ballistic threats, significantly enhancing the U.S. Navy’s operational capabilities.
US company given US dollars by US military for US navy.
Posted on UK defence journal.
Point taken, however there are presumably some who may be interested in potential impact upon coalition naval capabilities.
Seriously, formerUSAF, you are way to reasonable and logical for the internet.
😂😁👍
USN appear to be in competition with “Fat Amy” in the looks department with the latest Burke’s. Are they not proof that the USN needs a replacement cruiser? 🙃
Burkes may not win aesthetics contest, but they do have the benefit of lethality. Actually agree that cruiser sized vessels would provide more room for inevitable growth (DEW, additional sensors, drones, USVs etc.). Doubt USN regards preferences of non-sailors. 🤔😉
Unfortunately it now appears DDGX is at risk of cancellation due to costs. US is really having trouble getting anything new designed.
😳🙄 Had not previously read any article re DDG(X) potential cancellation. Constellation Class announced a three year delay virtually before program started. 🙄. Really not certain what the hell is going on! ☹️ If the procurement had been structured differently, reasonably certain that a partnership of BAES and US Shipyard X would cheerfully be producing a derivative of T-26.
The unstated concern/fear is what this trend may augur for AUKUS Pillar 1. 🤔😳😱
Oh it gets better…
The USMC wanted those cheap and easy to use island hopping boats. 14-15 Knts, Based on a civvy design, Ramp, Space for 80marines and their kit…
Now 2 years behind schedule and the price has risen from 150mil a pop to over 350m a pop…
NAVSEA strikes again!
Aarrgghh!! 😱😱🤬☹️
Eh. With how constellation is going T26 would’ve had the same issues more than likely
🤔 You may be correct in that assessment. ,😱☹️
I’ll admit it’s speculation but the depth of modification required plus the delays being linked to workforce shortages in a large part means the situation was a little inevitable.
Surprising how much of an issue workforce is for them rn across all their naval programs.
The problems with the ABs is that every time the USN tries to develop a replacement it falls through and they go back to bolting more crap on the Burke. The first Constellation class frigate is at least 5 years away (and not a direct replacement) and DDG(X) is at least a decade away.
I know it’s rueful thinking, but perhaps there’s an opening for the T83 or should that be C83? The two ship’s in-service timelines are roughly similar. Would the T83 being a supposed more rounded ship, meet the USN’s Arleigh Burke replacement requirement?
No chance tbh. I don’t think the T83 will be on the scale or have the equipment the US will need. Like we’ve seen with the Constellation, euro ships require massive modifications for them to get what they want and I don’t think they’ll be trying foreign procurement again.
The various acts of congress regarding US Shipbuilding are what has stymied the Connies and resulted in them going from 85% common to the original design to 15% common to the original design.
EAR especially drives what can go into the vessels.
A good example.
Sea Valves- Under US legislation sea valves must be made in the USA.
A FREMM is designed to metric standards.
US equipment is built to Imperial.
So a 150mm butterfly valve with an 8 hole PCD 240mm weighing 11 Kg and connected to 120mm pipes suddenly needs to become a 6 Inch valve with an 8 hole PCD of 9.5 inches and weighs in at 25 lbs connected to a 6 inch pipe.
Oh and the bolts for the PCD flange are now not metric M20 but 3/4Coarse…
So you need to change all the valves from Metric to Imperial. All the piping. All the sea chest support fixtures, all the pipe hangars and most importantly all the drawings.
And that is before you decide to completely redesign the length, beam, underwater fittings, upper deck layout and internal machinery and Damage Control set up.
Many outside of NAVSEA and a lot inside it saw what was coming but their concerns where ignored.
Hi GB, sounds a bit of a cluster! Does make you wonder how much Navantua will get out of the deal, or will it more hassle than it’s worth?
The USN appears to in as a big a mess as the RN, original plan was to buy the Future Large Surface Combatant ASAP in 2023, then it was delayed to 2025, then delayed again to late ’20s, now said the DDG(X) build contract will be placed in 2032 if it doesn’t get cancelled.
Whereas the Japanese have placed their order for the16,000+t ASEV destroyer this year, just placed an order with RR for twin MT30s per ship, first delivery planned for 2027.