Raytheon announced that it will develop software updates that let naval radars detect smaller targets at longer ranges and classify them faster…
Under a contract running through 2031, improvements are planned for the SPY-6 radar family and for future naval radar systems.
Raytheon will develop and evaluate signal and data processing algorithms, then integrate the targeted software changes into existing systems.
The SPY-6 family supports air and missile defense missions on seven classes of U.S. Navy ships, and can defend simultaneously against ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic missiles, enemy aircraft, and surface ships.
Its variants share common hardware and software components, and each radar is built from modular units.
The SPY-6(V)1 on Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers has four antenna faces with 37 radar modular assemblies each, while the SPY-6(V)4, developed for Flight IIA destroyers, also has four faces, each made up of 24 modules.
Designed for amphibious assault ships and Nimitz-class carriers, the SPY-6(V)2 uses a rotating array. The SPY-6(V)3, developed for Ford-class carriers and guided-missile frigates, has three fixed arrays.
The program also aims to extend detection range, improve radar sensitivity, and raise overall system efficiency…