MSDF Aegis ship: Detecting outer space with SPY-7 radar
・Conventional Aegis ships are equipped with SPY-1 anti-aircraft radar
・This Aegis ship is equipped with SPY-7 anti-aircraft radar
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Officially announced by the Japanese Ministry of Defense:
The Self-Defense Forces will equip Aegis ships with SPY-7 radars.
The US Missile Defense Agency and Lockheed are conducting tests in the US.
On April 2, 2024, ‘Space test with SPY-7 radar’ was successful.
SPY-7’s ‘FirstTrack Exam’:
We verified the ability of SPY-7 to detect and track objects in space.
1. Hardware and software accurately detect and track objects in space.
2. It was confirmed that SPY-7 information could be transmitted normally.
SPY-7 exam summary:
The test was conducted on March 29th at a ground facility in NJ, USA.
1. After connecting with the Aegis Weapon System,
2. SPY-7 detects and tracks objects in outer space.
What is a Japanese Aegis-equipped ship?
This time, we will develop an Aegis-equipped ship as an alternative to Aegis Ashore (land-based Aegis system).
1. Conventional Aegis ships are equipped with SPY-1 as an anti-aircraft radar.
2. Japanese Aegis warships will be equipped with the SPY-7 radar for Aegis Ashore.
Specifications of Japanese Aegis-equipped ships:
Standard displacement is around 10,000 tons, speed is 30 knots (55.6 km/h),
The policy was to design the building to be resistant to turbulence.
1. Once commissioned, it is expected to be the largest surface combatant in the West.
2. Mainly responsible for BMD (ballistic missile defense).
Equipment of Japanese Aegis ships:
It deals with attacks such as ballistic missiles and HGVs (hypersonic glide weapons).
First, it will be equipped on Aegis ships as the ‘SM-6 anti-aircraft missile.’
1. It is equipped with a new type of anti-HGV interceptor missile (U.S. Missile Defense Agency).
2. It is equipped with a “Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile with enhanced capability” ship-to-ship missile.
Ministry of Defense budget for FY2024:
The 2024 budget includes 379.7 billion yen (for 2 ships) as maintenance costs.
Construction of ships equipped with the Aegis system will begin this fiscal year.
The first ship will be commissioned in 2027, and the second ship will be commissioned in 2028.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/2a6ee219ec6cc5af4ed443795714b6194fb2cbb5
Lockheed Martin Japan:
SPY-7 is the world’s most powerful and versatile radar
SPY-7 is the pinnacle of land, sea, and air multilayer defense systems.
The SPY-7 defends against ballistic and anti-aircraft missiles.
Scalability of SPY technology:
Installed on Aegis ships, Aegis Ashore, Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), etc.
1. Possesses several times the performance of the conventional SPY-1 radar
2. Detects and tracks multiple advanced ballistic missile threats at once
SPY-7 is at the highest technical level:
Used in the Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) delivered to the US government in 2021.
SPY-7 ranks US Technology Maturity Level (TRL) 7.
https://www.lockheedmartin.com/ja-jp/index/products/spy-7-japan.html