Raytheon has secured a $536-million contract from the US Navy to provide SPY-6 radars.
The deal covers training, engineering support, shipboard installation, system integration, and software updates to improve radar performance.
The contract work will continue through 2026.
“SPY-6 is the most advanced radar in the US naval fleet, providing ships a new level of defense against evolving threats,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon.
“This contract highlights the essential role of this technology in supporting the US Navy’s technology roadmap for several decades to come,” she added.
SPY-6 radar systems are operational on two navy vessels, with installations underway on three more ships this year.
The radars are projected to be fitted on over 60 ships in the coming decade to strengthen the US Navy’s capabilities.
SPY-6 Radar Family
The SPY-6 radar family consists of four variants based on a modular system using “building blocks” called Radar Modular Assemblies (RMAs), which can be combined in different configurations to suit each vessel’s size and mission.
Each RMA is a standalone radar antenna enclosed in a compact 2x2x2-foot(60x60x60 centimeters) box.
All four radar variants provide full 360-degree coverage and are designed to defend against cruise missiles, air and surface threats, and electronic attacks.
The SPY-6(V)1 system, featuring four fixed radar faces made up of 37 RMAs each, is installed on DDG 51 Flight III destroyers.
It provides advanced tracking capabilities, including defense against ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
SPY-6(V)4, a slightly smaller version, has the same four fixed radar faces but 24 RMAs per face.
Designed for amphibious assault ships and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the SPY-6(V)2 uses a single rotating face composed of 9 RMAs, providing self-defense and air traffic control capabilities.
The SPY-6(V)3 shares the same core functions as the (V)2 but uses three fixed radar faces instead of a rotating one.
It is installed on Ford-class carriers and the new Constellation-class frigates.
