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How SPY-7 Radar Provides Simultaneous Target Tracking and Continuous Surveillance for Naval and Land-Based Systems.
On May 20, 2025, Lockheed Martin reaffirmed its intention to remain a key player in radar technology by showcasing its SPY-7 system, presented as a new global benchmark in software-defined digital radar. Designed to exceed the performance of current systems with a threefold improvement, SPY-7 stands out for its modularity, upgradeability, and adaptability to the specific needs of armed forces, whether on naval platforms, land-based systems, or integrated into strategic missile defense architectures.
The naval application of the SPY-7, reflected in the “S” for “Sea-based” in its designation, is illustrated by its integration into Japan’s future Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV), Spain’s F-110 multi-mission frigates, and Canada’s River-class destroyers (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
Based on a modular architecture known as the Subarray Suite (SAS), each component of the SPY-7 radars functions as a standalone mini-radar that can be assembled with others to create configurations tailored to different missions. Lockheed Martin has already produced more than 10,000 SAS units, enabling flexible deployment and quick adaptation to operational requirements. This building-block approach has also been integrated into other programs such as the AN/TPY-6 radar deployed in Guam and the AN/FPY-X radar of the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) program for the defense of U.S. territory. The TPY-6, designated as “transportable” under U.S. Department of Defense nomenclature, was successfully tested in December 2025 during a live-fire exercise conducted by the Missile Defense Agency. Integrated with the Aegis system and an SM-3 Block IIA interceptor, the radar effectively tracked and enabled engagement of a medium-range ballistic missile, demonstrating the system’s operational maturity.
The naval application of the SPY-7, reflected in the “S” for “Sea-based” in its designation, is illustrated by its integration into Japan’s future Aegis System Equipped Vessels (ASEV), Spain’s F-110 multi-mission frigates, and Canada’s River-class destroyers. This international expansion was reinforced by the first “SPY-7 Users Conference” held in Moorestown, New Jersey, which brought together government representatives from the United States, Japan, Spain, and Canada. The objective was to build a network of SPY-7 users to exchange experience and developments in the fields of detection, tracking, and countering complex threats.
SPY-7 is built on the LRDR program, which plays a central role in the U.S. homeland missile defense strategy. Installed in Alaska, the AN/FPY-X radar features two faces, each more than twenty meters tall and wide. Using advanced ballistic missile discrimination algorithms, it provides accurate trajectory data and supports the effectiveness of ground-based interceptors. This ability to differentiate among multiple simultaneous threats is crucial in response to the rapid evolution of adversarial missile arsenals.
Among the radar’s technical features is its use of polarization diversity, a unique function among operational radar systems. Drawing from techniques used in meteorological radars and polarized lenses to distinguish between precipitation types or reduce visual interference, this function enables SPY-7 to adapt detection settings to the nature of each threat while minimizing false returns. This significantly enhances its effectiveness in cluttered or complex operational environments.
Lockheed Martin has also emphasized long-term sustainability through strategic industrial partnerships, particularly in Japan. In 2024, the company signed industrial cooperation agreements with Fujitsu Global and NEC Corporation for local production and maintenance of critical SPY-7 components. This strategy supports the development of domestic defense industries, secures supply chains, and contributes to strengthening national technological autonomy in client countries.
In conclusion, Lockheed Martin’s SPY-7 is positioned as a next-generation radar combining computing power, modular architecture, interoperability, and mission adaptability. Deployed across diverse platforms, from Guam’s transportable radar to Aegis-equipped frigates, it is part of a broader vision of technological standardization and international collaboration. Its scalable design and industrial partnerships are intended to ensure its operational relevance and sustainability well into the future.