Wikipedia

Long Range Discrimination Radar

AN/SPY-7
The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska
Country of originUnited States
TypeActive electronically scanned array early-warning radar
FrequencyS band
Other namesLong Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)

The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Alaska is part of the United States's Ground-Based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system. The main contractor is Lockheed Martin, under a US$784 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency in October 2015.[1]

LRDR is a gallium nitride (GaN)-based, solid-state active electronically scanned array (AESA) early-warning radar[1] that allows for continuous coverage, even when it is undergoing maintenance.[2] The radar consists of individual solid state radar blocks that can be combined to scale up the size of the radar. The multi-purpose GaN device used on the prototype version of the LRDR is from the Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.[3]

Construction in Alaska for the LRDR was scheduled to begin in 2019,[1] tentatively at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska.[4] Each AESA's dimensions are 60 feet high by 60 feet wide; the field of view is 220 degrees.[5]

In late February 2021, the Missile Defense Agency said that the radar installation was underway, with Initial Operational Capability to be achieved in 2021.[6] Testing for Full Operational Capability is expected by 2023.[5]

In mid-August 2023, the Flight Test Other-26 (FTX-26) was cancelled due to an anomaly with the live ballistic missile target. When operational, the LRDR will be tied into the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications system.[7]

The LRDR may become part of Golden Dome.[8]

Variants

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AN/SPY-7(V)1

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The AN/SPY-7(V)1 is the official designation of an LRDR-derivative used with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. On 30 July 2018, the Japanese government approved a plan to purchase two pairs of AN/SPY-7(V)1 for the Aegis Ashore facility and will be installed in Yamaguchi Prefecture and Akita Prefecture. The first operation is expected to start from 2025, by Japan Ground Self Defense Force.[9]

Missile Defense Agency has also decided to use AN/SPY-7(V)1 for the Aegis Ashore to be installed in Hawaii. Derivatives of the AN/SPY-7(V)1 will be used on the Canadian River-class destroyer and the Spanish F-110 frigate.[10]

Lockheed Martin promoted this version of radar as the AN/SPY-1 refurbishment program to the US Navy to extend the lifespan of the Ticonderoga-class cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to beyond the 2040s.[11] In December 2021, the AN/SPY-6 AESA radar from Raytheon was selected to retrofit Flight IIA Arleigh Burke destroyers; the same radar is used on Flight III ships.[12][13]

AN/SPY-7(V)2

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The AN/SPY-7(V)2 is the official designation of an LRDR-derivative used by the F110-class frigates for the Spanish Navy.[14]

AN/SPY-7(V)3

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The AN/SPY-7(V)3 is the official designation of an LRDR-derivative used by the future River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.[15]

In September 2020, the AN/SPY-7 was chosen by the Canadian government as the primary radar for the River-class destroyer,[16] and received the official AN/SPY-7(V)3 designation in June 2022.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Alaska's Long Range Discrimination Radar on Track for 2020[dead link], Jen Judson, DefenseNews.com, 16 August 2016
  2. ^ "Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)".
  3. ^ Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Next Generation Aegis Ashore Solution Lockheed Martin, Jan 11 2018
  4. ^ Department of Defense Identifies Planned Site of Future Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), DoD press release NR-193-15, 22 May 2015, accessed 17 August 2016
  5. ^ a b C. Todd Lopez, DOD News (7 Dec 2021) Long-Range Discrimination Radar Reshapes Adversaries' Calculus for Attacks Against U.S. Homeland
  6. ^ MDA says Alaska-based missile defense radar will be operational in 2021, Jen Judson, DefenseNews, 2021-03-03
  7. ^ Missile Defense Agency cancels test of Long-Range Discrimination Radar, Jen Judson, Defense News, 2023-09-02
  8. ^ Stone, Mike (24 June 2025). "U.S. tests long-range radar to detect possible missile threats". Reuters. Archived from the original on 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025 – via Star-Advertiser.
  9. ^ On the result of component selection of the Aegis system (Aegis Ashore) on land deployment(Japanese) Ministry of Defense Japan, 30 July 2018
  10. ^ "U.S. Government Designates Lockheed Martin's Latest Generation Radar: AN/SPY-7(V)1 - Nov 14, 2019". Media - Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 2019-12-24.
  11. ^ Lockheed Martin Advocates Accelerating Aegis, SPY-1 Upgrades USNI.org January 10, 2017
  12. ^ "US Navy SPY 6 Radars". www.rtx.com. Retrieved 2025-10-22.
  13. ^ Justin Katz Raytheon to start backfitting destroyers with SPY-6 radar. Breaking Defense (11 Jan 2022)
  14. ^ Willett, Dr Lee (15 January 2025). "Live Tracking Test Demonstrates SPY-7 Capability and Scalability". Naval News. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b "The Canadian Surface Combatant SPY-7 Radar Earns Official Government of Canada Designation, Setting a New Standard in Airspace Threat Detection" (Press release). Lockheed Martin Corporation. 2022-06-02.
  16. ^ "Lockheed Martin Signs SPY-7 Radar Contract for CSC Frigate". Naval News. 11 November 2020.

See also

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