First Flight III destroyer for US Navy introduces innovative radar capabilities
Fourteen Flight IIIs have been funded (DDG 125 to DDG 139) under US Navy budget allocations through to 2022. In August 2023, a further 10 Flight III destroyers were contracted (DDG 140 to DGG 149), with procurement taking place from FY2023 to FY2027. (Photo: US Navy)
The commissioning of the US Navy’s first new Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) has led to the introduction of a host of new capabilities that will become operational at sea for the first time.
Among these developments has been the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) built by Raytheon. The SPY-6 can simultaneously conduct Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) while also tracking aircraft and surface vessels with a longer detection range compared to previous radar systems. This has provided the navy with further offensive capability by offering more time to react to threats and enabling more offensive
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Australia commissions HMAS Arafura three-and-a-half years behind schedule
The Royal Australian Navy has finally commissioned the first Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel – more than three years behind schedule – highlighting the programme’s delays, design compromises and ongoing industrial restructuring.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.