The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has successfully conducted its first live-target tracking test using the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar, marking an important milestone in integrating the system with Japan’s first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV). During the development exercise, the Aegis-integrated radar tracked targets across two separate events, culminating in simulated engagement scenarios.
Carried out in collaboration with Lockheed Martin and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the test served as a critical risk-reduction step, generating key data on detection, identification, tracking, and engagement performance for both the Aegis system and SPY-7 radar. Following successful integration testing, the first ASEV shipset, including the radar, will be delivered to Japan.
The SPY-7(V)1, a solid-state radar derived from the Long Range Discrimination Radar program, offers advanced capabilities to detect and track ballistic, aerial, and hypersonic threats simultaneously while distinguishing real targets from decoys. With an estimated detection range of up to 2,000 kilometers, it significantly surpasses legacy SPY-1 systems. Its modular, software-driven design allows easy scalability and future upgrades. Beyond Japan, the radar is also planned for Canada’s River-class destroyers and Spain’s F-110 frigates, with Japan set to deploy it on two ASEVs scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2028 and commissioning by 2029.
