The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has completed the first live-target tracking test of the SPY-7 radar, clearing a key hurdle for Japan's ASEV program.
The US Missile Defense Agency has performed the first live-target tracking exercise using the SPY-7 radar system.For the test, the radar tracked targets during two separate events, leading to simulated target engagements.
The key milestone paves the way for the system’s integration in Japan’s first Aegis System Equipped Vessel .US MDA completes live target tracking testThe tests, performed in partnership with Lockheed Martin and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, served as a maturity test for the integrated SPY-7 Aegis System. According to a Lockheed Martin press statement, it provided key data on the system’s capabilities. The test, which took place on March 17 and 19 off the east coast of the United States, was conducted under a Foreign Military Sales arrangement between the US and Japan.“Successful completion of the first live target tracking exercise of the ASEV system affirms that our integrated Aegis system is ready to detect, track, and engage targets, showcasing Lockheed Martin’s ability to deliver rapid solutions in partnership with the Department of War and Japanese allies,” explained Chandra Marshall, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of Multi-Domain Combat Solutions.The solid-state Lockheed Martin radar system has an estimated missile-detection range of 2,000 kilometers . It enables advanced detection and tracking while simultaneously engaging ballistic, ramjet, and hypersonic threats.The technology behind SPY-7 is based on the Long Range Discrimination Radar developed by the MDA. According to a Defense Post report, it is capable of distinguishing decoys from real threats.‘Significant milestone’ in Japan-US collaborationNow that integration testing is complete, the ASEV Shipset 1 with the integrated SPY-7 radar will be shipped to Japan.“JFTX-01 is a significant milestone in the longstanding cooperation between Japan and the US, and in the combined development and integration efforts for the ASEV program,” said MDA director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins. “Once complete, ASEV will provide Japan with the latest Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities and significantly bolster their defense against regional missile threats.”SPY-7’s modular, software-focused design architecture makes it adaptable for different ship classes. It can also be upgraded without requiring major hardware overhauls.According to the Defense Post, Japan will fit the system onto its two upcoming ASEV destroyers. However, SPY-7 will also be used aboard Canada’s River-class destroyers and Spain’s F-110 frigates.Japan’s ASEV destroyer will serve as an alternative to Japan’s scrapped plans for a land-based Aegis Ashore BMD system.The overall cost of building the two ships is estimated to be 1 trillion yen . The first of the destroyers is scheduled to be delivered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2027. Japan Marine United Corporation is building the second, with delivery expected in 2028.
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