Raytheon expects the Navy to order a new variant of its SPY-6 missile defense radar in a step towards back-fitting numerous Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with upgrades. The SPY-6(V)4 variant is planned to be installed onboard the Flight IIA Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, a ship variant that is the workhorse of the fleet until Flight III destroyers are operational. Raytheon has developed four variants of the SPY-6 radar, each for a specific subset of Navy ships. In 2022, many of the radar variants have transitioned to fleet. The Flight III destroyer Jack Lucas (DDG-125) entered sea trials in December from Ingalls shipbuilding in Mississippi, equipped with SPY-6(V)1 radar. The amphibious transport Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD-29) received the SPY-6(V)2 radar designed for amphibs and Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. LPD-29 was the first amphib online with the SPY-6 radar. The ship's below-deck equipment has been installed and Ingalls is installing the array in less than a week. Sea trials are an early opportunity for the Navy to test all the different elements that make up a warship, including the combat management system’s ability to command and control the SPY-6 radar. (Breaking Defense 01/10/23) Raytheon expects key SPY-6 contract for destroyer backfits in early 2023 - Breaking Defense. The Navy is expected to commission USS Jack H. Lucas and its AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar into service in 2024.
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