SPY-6 Radar

Manufacturer: Raytheon Technologies
Category: Radar and Jamming Systems
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Detection Range Long-range detection; exact maximum range not publicly specified
Frequency Band S-band
Antenna Type / Technology Active electronically scanned array (AESA)
Target Tracking Capacity Exact maximum not publicly disclosed

Defense Systems Full Specifications

1. General Information

Name / Designation	AN/SPY-6, Family of Radars
Manufacturer	Raytheon, an RTX business
Country of Origin	United States
Type / Role	Shipborne air and missile defense radar
Operational Domain	Naval
Status	In production and fleet introduction, with multiple variants at different stages

2. Technical Specifications

Frequency Band	S-band
Antenna Type	AESA, solid-state radar
Antenna Aperture / Size	Variant-dependent; exact dimensions not publicly disclosed
Power Output	Exact transmitter power not publicly disclosed
Detection Range	Long-range; specific maximum not publicly disclosed
Tracking Range	Exact maximum not publicly disclosed
Target Tracking Capacity	Exact number of simultaneous tracks not publicly disclosed
Elevation Coverage	Designed for three-dimensional air surveillance; exact limits are variant-dependent or undisclosed
Azimuth Coverage	360-degree surveillance on the four-face fixed-array AN/SPY-6(V)1 configuration
Beam Steering	Electronic beam steering
Pulse Repetition Frequency (PRF)	Detailed operating values not publicly disclosed
Resolution	Exact numerical resolution not publicly disclosed
Update Rate	Mission and software dependent; exact rate not publicly disclosed
Clutter Rejection / ECCM	Advanced signal processing and electronic counter-countermeasure functions; detailed performance classified or not publicly released

3. Functional Capabilities

Primary Functions	Air surveillance, target tracking, ballistic missile defense support and integrated air and missile defense
Target Types	Aircraft, cruise missiles, ballistic missile threats and surface targets, depending on mission and configuration
Integration / Networking	Integrates with compatible ship combat systems
IFF Capability	Supports integration with shipboard identification systems; specific radar-native IFF details are not publicly established
Data Link / Networking	Supplies surveillance and tracking information to the ship combat system; wider network functions depend on connected systems
Weather & Terrain Resistance	Designed for maritime operations; performance varies with weather and propagation conditions
Mobility / Mounting	Fixed shipboard installation; not a mobile land-based radar

4. Physical & Operational Characteristics

Dimensions	Variant-dependent; full dimensions not publicly disclosed
Weight	Exact system weight not publicly disclosed
Power Requirement	Shipboard electrical supply; exact requirements not publicly disclosed
Cooling System	Ship-integrated thermal management; detailed specifications not publicly disclosed
Operating Temperature Range	Exact limits not publicly disclosed
Deployment Platform	Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers for the AN/SPY-6(V)1; other variants support additional ship configurations
Crew Requirement	Operated and maintained by the ship's combat systems personnel; dedicated staffing figures not publicly disclosed

5. Software & Processing

Signal Processor Type	Digital radar signal processing; detailed processor architecture not publicly disclosed
Processing Speed	No verified public numerical figure
AI / Automation Features	Automated detection and tracking functions; no verified public basis for assigning a specific AI capability
Data Output / Interface	Radar surveillance and tracking data supplied to compatible combat systems
Software Upgradeability	Supported; Navy contracts include software upgrades and integration work

6. Operational History

Year Introduced	Development program began in the 2010s; fleet introduction followed in the 2020s
Users / Operators	United States Navy; foreign availability subject to U.S. government approval
Notable Deployments	Integrated with the USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), an Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyer
Successor / Predecessor	Intended to improve on the AN/SPY-1 family; no officially designated direct successor publicly established

7. Export / Compliance Data

Export Availability	Potential foreign military sales, subject to U.S. government authorization
ITAR / MTCR Status	Defense export controls apply; exact licensing classification should be confirmed with the U.S. government
Cost Estimate	No universal unit price publicly established; contract values include different combinations of hardware, integration and support

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

7.8

Range & Endurance 8 / 10
Stealth Capability 7 / 10
Technology 8 / 10
Maintenance Efficiency 8 / 10

PROS

AESA technology supports rapid electronic beam steering and multi-target surveillance.
Designed to improve detection and tracking of advanced air and missile threats.
Modular architecture supports multiple ship classes and radar configurations.
Integrates with naval combat systems for coordinated threat assessment and engagement.
Software upgrades and common hardware elements can support capability improvements across the family.

CONS

Exact detection range and tracking capacity are not publicly available for independent comparison.
Installation and integration require substantial shipboard engineering.
Power, cooling and maintenance requirements add demands to ship design and support.
Procurement and modernization costs can be significant.
Performance depends on the radar variant, combat-system integration and operating conditions.

SPY-6 Radar: U.S. Navy Air and Missile Defense System

The AN/SPY-6 is a family of advanced shipborne radars developed to improve the U.S. Navy’s ability to detect, track and help counter modern air and missile threats. Designed for integrated air and missile defense, it supports surveillance against aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missile threats, including increasingly demanding target profiles.

SPY-6 uses active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology and a modular design that allows different variants to support different ship classes and mission requirements. The AN/SPY-6(V)1 is designed for Arleigh Burke-class Flight III guided-missile destroyers, while other variants support additional surface combatant configurations. The radar provides information for combat systems to build a shared air and missile threat picture.

Manufacturer

Raytheon, an RTX business, developed the SPY-6 family for the U.S. Navy. The program is part of the service’s effort to improve integrated air and missile defense and replace or supplement older radar systems across its surface fleet.

Speed and Range

Radar systems do not have a vehicle speed or endurance rating. Their detection performance depends on the variant, target size, altitude, radar cross-section, environmental conditions and operating configuration. The U.S. Navy has not published a single universal maximum detection range or target-tracking capacity for the entire SPY-6 family. Specific performance figures should therefore be treated as undisclosed unless tied to an authoritative source and a defined variant.

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Cost/Price

SPY-6 does not have a single retail price. Procurement contracts cover radar hardware, integration, testing, engineering and support. In June 2026, Raytheon announced a $515 million Navy contract for SPY-6 family integration and production support, including work associated with the SPY-6(V)4 upgrade for Flight IIA destroyers. That contract value is not the price of one radar.

FAQs

What is the SPY-6 radar?

SPY-6 is a U.S. Navy family of shipborne AESA radars designed for air surveillance, target tracking and integrated air and missile defense.

Who manufactures the SPY-6 radar?

Raytheon, part of RTX, manufactures the radar family for the U.S. Navy.

What is the detection range of SPY-6?

The Navy has not published one universal maximum detection range for all SPY-6 variants. Actual performance depends on the variant and the target being detected.

Which U.S. Navy ships use SPY-6?

The AN/SPY-6(V)1 is designed for Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers. Other family variants are intended for additional ship configurations, including Flight IIA destroyer modernization.

How much does the SPY-6 radar cost?

There is no single public unit price applicable to every variant. Contract awards cover different quantities, configurations, integration work and support services.

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