The SPY-7 is a scalable radar capable of defending against ballistic and
anti-air missiles. SPY-7 radar technology is believed to be able to protect
the military and citizens at sea, land, and around the world.
The SPY-7 radar outperforms the SPY-1 radar with its ability to detect,
track, and counter advanced ballistic missile threats.
The US government has designated SPY-7 technology as Technical readiness
level 7, indicating that the technology has been tested in regulatory
operational relevance.
The building block of SPY-7 is gallium nitride (GaN) which allows for
greater radar cooling but results in higher and maintained performance.
According to the Eurasian Times, Lockheed Martin stated in a press release
that the company has completed a successful demonstration of the SPY-7 radar
and a new software integration program for the AEGIS missile defense system.
According to the company, the successful demonstration of the entire
ballistic missile defense fire control circle was an important milestone in
the development of the SPY-7-equipped Aegis Combat System.
The press release also mentions that the tests were overseen by the US
Missile Defense Agency and the US Navy's Aegis Technical Representative.
“Lockheed Martin successfully demonstrated the integration of the AN/SPY-7
(V)1 radar into the Aegis Weapon System for Japan, carried out the necessary
processing to detect, track and distinguish ballistic missile threats, and
successfully guide interceptors against these threats. Twitter account
@LokheedMartin.
The US aerospace and defense giant is making changes to its Moorestown, New
Jersey production test center in preparation for direct SPY-7 radar
integration and tests for Japan's ship-equipped Aegis System (ASEV) program.
The testing facility will be used to validate the performance of the final
item's hardware and software prior to shipment to Japan.
Japan has a geographical position that places it close to its two biggest
enemies, China and North Korea.
Both countries have advanced missile arsenals so the Japanese military must
strengthen its defenses.
By adding ballistic missile defense capabilities to the Aegis destroyers and
deploying the Patriot Advanced Capability-3, Japan has increased its
defenses against ballistic missile threats since 2004.
An automated warning and control system known as the Japan Aerospace Defense
Ground Environment (JADGE) collects and processes information recorded by
radars across the country in order to respond quickly to ballistic missiles
moving towards Japan.
