Lockheed Martin Continues Partnership With Spain For Future Frigates.

Lockheed Martin recently signed a contract with Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site (Centro de Integración de Sistemas en Tierra or CIST) – with Lockheed Martin’s first naval installation of its solid-state S-band radar. The new F-110 frigates will be built by Spain’s national shipbuilder, Navantia.

Rendering of the company’s new F-110 frigates (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Recently designated by the U.S. Government as AN/SPY-7(V)1, this technology is derived from current radar programs and significant Lockheed Martin investment. Variants of the SPY-7 radar will also be utilized on programs with Japan’s Aegis Ashore, the Royal Canadian Navy for the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the U.S. Government.

Providing Spain’s homeland with a defence for evolving threats, the F-110 program will further protect the country and its citizens. Equipped with the latest digital, solid-state radar technology, this crucial program will ensure
Spain’s warfighters having the most capable combat system to perform new missions, strengthen Spain’s economy through industrial participation, advance Spain’s competitiveness in the global market by providing an opportunity for joint technology development and pave the way for interoperability with navies across the world, thanks to Aegis’ open architecture.

The F-110 will host the first-ever naval solid-state S-band radar for the Spanish Navy. To foster the growth of Spain’s defence and technology industries, Lockheed Martin and Spanish company, Indra, will jointly provide the radar. It will go to sea as part of the Aegis Weapon System, which will be integrated with the ship’s combat management system SCOMBA when the first frigate deploys in 2026.

The Aegis Weapon System is the most deployed combat system in the world, and its flexible system enables it to fulfil a variety of missions. Due in part to its unique open architecture design, the Aegis family continues to grow internationally as more nations around the world partner with Lockheed Martin.