Raytheon, part of RTX, has announced the first live maritime test of its AN/SPY-6(V)4 radar in partnership with the US Navy, the company stated.
The trial took place at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii, where the radar was evaluated against both air and surface targets.
According to Raytheon, the test marked the first time the (V)4 configuration has produced live data in a maritime environment. This information will be used to refine the system ahead of further trials and eventual deployment at sea.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, said: “The successful live demonstration of the SPY-6(V)4 radar is a major step forward in advancing the capabilities of today’s fleet and supporting allied operations worldwide. The radar will allow existing U.S. Navy Flight IIA Destroyers to significantly upgrade their detection and tracking capabilities, allowing sailors to more effectively monitor and respond to potential threats in real-time.”
The SPY-6 radar family is designed as a scalable system that uses common hardware and software across multiple configurations. This approach, Raytheon argues, allows the US Navy to adapt the radar for different ship classes while reducing costs and easing integration.
The company confirmed that the (V)4 variant is intended specifically for the Navy’s Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, which form the backbone of the US surface fleet. The addition of SPY-6 is expected to enhance the ships’ ability to counter air, surface and ballistic missile threats.
Raytheon said more than 60 US Navy vessels are scheduled to receive SPY-6 over the next decade. Testing and system improvements are set to continue as part of the programme’s development cycle.
