Long Range Discrimination Radar
The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) that is planned for operational service in Alaska in 2020 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 a Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.[3]
Construction in Alaska for the LRDR is scheduled to begin in 2019,[1] tentatively at Clear Air Force Station in central Alaska.[4]
AN/SPY-7(V)1
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 fairs 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.[5]
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 Surface Combatant and the F-110 frigate.[6]
Lockheed Martin is promoting this version of radar as the AN/SPY-1 refurbishment program to the US Navy to extend the lifespan of Ticonderoga-class cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to beyond 2040s.[7]
References
- ^ a b c Alaska's Long Range Discrimination Radar on Track for 2020, Jen Judson, DefenseNews.com, 16 August 2016
- ^ https://missilethreat.csis.org/defsys/lrdr/
- ^ Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Next Generation Aegis Ashore Solution Lockheed Martin, Jan 11 2018
- ^ 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
- ^ On the result of component selection of the Aegis system (Aegis Ashore) on land deployment(Japanese) Ministry of Defense Japan, 30 July 2018
- ^ "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.
- ^ Lockheed Martin Advocates Accelerating Aegis, SPY-1 Upgrades USNI.org January 10, 2017