The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has carried out the first live-target tracking exercise using the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar, marking a key step in its integration with Japan’s first Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV).
The development test saw the Aegis-integrated radar track targets across two separate events, culminating in simulated target engagements.
Conducted in partnership with Lockheed Martin and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the events served as a key risk reduction exercise. They provided crucial data on the search, detection, identification, tracking, and engagement capabilities of both the baseline Aegis system and the SPY-7 radar.
Following completion of integration testing, Japan’s ASEV Shipset 1, including the 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,” MDA director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said.
“Once complete, ASEV will provide Japan with the latest Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities and significantly bolster their defense against regional missile threats.”
AN/SPY-7(V)1 Radar
The solid-state Lockheed Martin radar delivers advanced detection and tracking, enabling simultaneous engagement of ballistic, air-breathing, and hypersonic threats. It can distinguish real threats from decoys.
Derived from the Long Range Discrimination Radar developed by the MDA, SPY-7 significantly outperforms legacy SPY-1 radars, with an estimated missile-detection range of 2,000 kilometers (1,243 miles).
Its modular, software-driven architecture allows it to be scaled across different ship classes and upgraded with new capabilities without major hardware changes.
Japan will field the system on two ASEVs, with the first vessel to be delivered by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 2027 and commissioned by March 2028. The second, being built by Japan Marine United Corporation, is expected in 2028, with commissioning slated for March 2029.
Beyond Japan’s ASEVs, SPY-7 is also planned for Canada’s River-class destroyers and Spain’s F-110 frigates.
