U.S. defense company Lockheed Martin has delivered the first Aegis System Equipped Vessel shipset to Japan. Mitsubishi helped ensure that the Japanese Ministry of Defense received the equipment through a direct commercial sale arrangement.
After the initial delivery, Lockheed is set to hand over a second ASEV before the Japanese defense ministry’s plans to have both systems operational by fiscal year 2027 and FY28. The first ASEV shipset features four AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar antennas.
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According to Lockheed Martin, the SPY-7 is the most powerful and versatile radar in the world. It can detect, track and engage advanced ballistic missiles and air threats. It can also engage multiple targets by using interceptors.
The SPY-7 is also set to be integrated into Canada’s River-Class Destroyers and Spain’s F-110 frigates while a land-based version has been deployed by the Missile Defense Agency for the Guam Defense System and the Long-Range Discrimination Radar.
The delivery follows a rigorous testing of SPY-7 in April, when it detected space objects during a demonstration held in the company’s Moorestown, New Jersey, facility.
“The successful on-time delivery of all antennas for the first ASEV showcases the maturity and scalability of the SPY-7 radar as well as production capacity, while also demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s dedication and expertise in system integration,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s multi-domain combat solutions business.