Lockheed Martin has delivered the first set of AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas to Japan’s Ministry of Defense (JMOD), marking a key milestone in the development of the country’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) program. The delivery includes four radar arrays and was completed through Mitsubishi Corporation under a Direct Commercial Sale (DCS) agreement.
The SPY-7 antennas are destined for the first of two ASEVs, with both ships scheduled for commissioning in Japan Fiscal Year (JFY) 2027 and 2028. Acceptance testing was successfully completed prior to shipment, ensuring readiness for upcoming integration phases.
“The on-time delivery of all antennas for the first ASEV highlights the maturity and scalability of the SPY-7 radar,” said Chandra Marshall, Vice President of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin. “It also demonstrates our commitment to on-schedule delivery and effective system integration.”
Before the hardware is shipped to Japan for installation, Lockheed Martin will carry out full system integration and testing at its Production Test Center in Moorestown, New Jersey. This pre-deployment process aims to reduce integration risks and help ensure the vessels enter service as scheduled.
The SPY-7 radar is a solid-state, scalable radar designed to counter evolving threats through simultaneous tracking and engagement of multiple targets. It provides enhanced situational awareness and integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capability for naval forces.
In addition to Japan, SPY-7 is also being installed on Spain’s F-110 frigates and Canada’s River-class destroyers. A land-based variant, known as TPY-6, is being fielded by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for the Aegis Guam System and the Long-Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR).
In December 2024, the SPY-7 radar achieved a major milestone when its land-based TPY-6 variant intercepted a mid-range ballistic missile during Flight Experiment Mission-02, further proving its operational maturity and effectiveness.
