The US Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR) has awarded Raytheon a contract to develop advanced target-detection technologies for the SPY-6 family of shipborne radars and future naval radar systems. The initiative aims to strengthen maritime surveillance and improve the detection of increasingly sophisticated aerial and missile threats.
Under the agreement, Raytheon’s Advanced Technology team will develop and test signal- and data-processing algorithms while integrating software enhancements to extend detection ranges, improve sensitivity, and increase radar efficiency. The program builds on the company’s expertise in software-defined apertures and previous ONR research initiatives, including ASPIRE and STORM, which focused on advancing hardware and software technologies for next-generation radar systems.
Development and testing activities will take place at Raytheon facilities in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Andover, Massachusetts, with work scheduled to continue through 2031.
SPY-6 Radar Family and Capabilities
The SPY-6 radar family consists of four variants tailored to different US Navy vessel classes. These systems provide 360-degree surveillance and are designed to detect and track cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, aircraft, surface targets, and electronic warfare threats. Their capabilities support integrated air and missile defense across the US Navy’s fleet.
The SPY-6(V)1, developed for Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, features four arrays, each containing 37 Radar Module Assemblies (RMAs). The SPY-6(V)4, intended for Flight IIA destroyers, incorporates four arrays with 24 RMAs each. Both variants are designed to strengthen naval air and missile defense capabilities.
For amphibious warfare vessels, the SPY-6(V)2 employs a rotating array, while the SPY-6(V)3 uses three fixed arrays for Ford-class aircraft carriers. The SPY-6(V)2 is also intended for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers.
Future Deployment and Naval Modernization
The SPY-6 radar family is expected to equip more than 50 US Navy vessels over the next decade, including destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious warships. Continued software and signal-processing improvements could further enhance detection performance, situational awareness, and operational efficiency across these platforms.
The contract underscores the US Navy’s commitment to advancing shipborne radar technology to counter evolving threats and strengthen fleet-wide integrated air and missile defense capabilities.
