“Revolutionizing Maritime Defense: Lockheed Martin Debuts Advanced AN/SPY-7(V)1 Radar for Japan’s Aegis Fleet”
Lockheed Martin has successfully delivered the first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) ship set, which includes four AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas, to the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD). This shipment was facilitated through Mitsubishi Corporation under a Direct Commercial Sale agreement, following thorough acceptance assessments.
“The prompt and successful provision of all antennas for the inaugural ASEV highlights the maturity and scalability of the SPY-7 radar, along with our production capabilities, showcasing Lockheed Martin’s dedication and expertise in system integration,” expressed Chandra Marshall, vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions at Lockheed Martin.
The JMOD is currently in the process of procuring two ASEVs, both of which are planned for commissioning in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2027 and 2028. Marshall elaborated, “We will continue with extensive system integration and testing of all four antennas at the Production Test Center located in Moorestown, New Jersey, this year, before supplying Japan, thereby significantly reducing integration risks and ensuring on-time commissioning.”
The SPY-7 Advantage
With cutting-edge detection and tracking capabilities, SPY-7 expertly tackles a variety of threats, enabling the simultaneous engagement of multiple targets and providing a robust 21st-century defense mechanism that enhances naval forces’ operational effectiveness in an increasingly volatile and dynamic environment.
In addition to Japan’s ASEVs, the SPY-7 radar is also being produced for Canada’s River-Class Destroyers, Spain’s F-110 Frigates, while the ground-based variant has been utilized by the Missile Defense Agency for the Guam Defense System (TPY-6) and the Long-Range Discrimination Radar. The endorsement of Lockheed Martin’s cutting-edge solid-state radar by both the United States and numerous global partners emphasizes the outstanding quality and innovation of the radar technology. In December 2024, Lockheed Martin’s land-based version of the SPY-7 radar, known as TPY-6, successfully intercepted a mid-range ballistic missile during the Aegis Guam System’s Flight Experiment Mission-02.
