AN/SPY-3

Electronically scanned radar system

The AN/SPY 3 is an active electronically scanned array radar manufactured by Raytheon and designed for both blue water and littoral operations.

X band functionality (8 to 12 GHz frequency range) is optimal for minimizing low altitude propagation effects, narrow beam width for best tracking accuracy, wide frequency bandwidth for effective target discrimination, and the target illumination for SM 2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM). The X band has, in general, favorable low altitude propagation characteristics, which readily support the horizon search functionality of the AN/SPY 3. A large operating bandwidth is required to mitigate large propagation variations due to meteorological conditions. The system uses commercial off the shelf (COTS) computers and has reduced manning requirements for operation and maintenance. A number of operation and maintenance functions can be completely automated. The system was introduced in the new s and s. On both of these classes, the AN/SPY 3 was originally to be combined with the S Band AN/SPY 4 under the designator "Dual Band Radar". In June 2010, Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter announced that they will be removing the SPY 4 S band Volume Search Radar (VSR) from the DDG 1000's dual band radar to reduce costs as part of the Nunn McCurdy certification process. Due to the SPY 4 removal, SPY 3 radar is to have software modifications so as to perform a volume search functionality. Shipboard operators will be able to optimize the SPY 3 MFR for either horizon search or volume search. While optimized for volume search, the horizon search capability is limited. Without the VSR, DDG 1000 is still expected to perform local area air defense. Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier will be the only ship to have both radars married in one system.