AN/SPY-3
Country of originUnited States
TypeNavigation/Targeting
FrequencyX band
Range200 mi (320 km)

The AN/SPY-3 is an active electronically scanned array radar manufactured by Raytheon and designed for both blue-water and littoral[1] operations.

Technology

Diagram of AN/SPY-3 vertical electronic pencil beam radar conex projections

X band functionality (8 to 12 GHz frequency range) is optimal for minimizing low-altitude propagation effects, narrow beam width for best tracking accuracy, wide frequency bandwidth for effective target discrimination, and the target illumination for SM-2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). The X-band has, in general, favorable low-altitude propagation characteristics, which readily support the horizon search functionality of the AN/SPY-3. A large operating bandwidth is required to mitigate large propagation variations due to meteorological conditions.[2]

The system uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) computers and has reduced manning requirements for operation and maintenance. A number of operation and maintenance functions can be completely automated.[2] Commercial IBM Regatta series symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) servers, ruggedized for the shipboard environment, provide the low-latency computing throughput (rapid sensor-to-shooter loop closure) and high productivity software engineering environment.[3]

The system was introduced in the new Zumwalt-class destroyers and Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. On both of these classes, the AN/SPY-3 was originally to be combined with the S Band AN/SPY-4 under the designator "Dual Band Radar". In June 2010, Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter announced that they will be removing the SPY-4 S-band Volume Search Radar from the DDG 1000's dual-band radar to reduce costs as part of the Nunn-McCurdy certification process. Due to the SPY-4 removal, SPY-3 radar is to have software modifications so as to perform a volume search functionality.[4]

Shipboard operators will be able to optimize the SPY-3 MFR for either horizon search or volume search. While optimized for volume search, the horizon search capability is limited. Without the VSR, DDG-1000 is still expected to perform local area air defense. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) aircraft carrier will be the only ship to have both radars married in one system.[4]

AN/SPY-3 was also under consideration for retrofit to existing ships (USS Makin Island (LHD-8), Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, and San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks), as well for installation in future LH(X) America-class amphibious assault ship.[1]

Replacement

Starting with USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), SPY-4 has been replaced with AN/SPY-6 radar from Raytheon.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pike, John. "AN/SPY-3 Multi-Function Radar (MFR)".
  2. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-12-12. Retrieved 2014-10-28.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2014-11-03.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ a b "Navy DDG-51 and DDG-1000 Destroyer Programs: Background and Issues for Congress" (PDF). fas.org. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  5. ^ "Raytheon Awarded $92M Navy Contract for Future Carrier Radars". USNI News. August 22, 2016.
Categories