AN/APY-9 UHF AESA Radar

Full Specifications

AN/APY-9 UHF AESA Radar: Advanced Airborne Early Warning Radar

TThe AN/APY-9 is an advanced airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) radar developed by Lockheed Martin for the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Designed for the U.S. Navy, it delivers continuous long-range surveillance, airborne battle management, and theater air and missile defense support. Operating in the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, the radar combines Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology with mechanical rotation to provide uninterrupted 360-degree coverage. Its advanced architecture enables the E-2D to detect and track aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and maritime targets simultaneously, even in dense coastal or overland environments where conventional radars face significant clutter.

Manufacturer

The AN/APY-9 is designed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, while Northrop Grumman serves as the prime contractor for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The radar is the primary mission sensor aboard the E-2D and represents a major advancement over the earlier AN/APS-145 system. It incorporates a high power solid state transmitter, digital receivers, an open architecture processor, and Electronic Sector Scanning, allowing operators to increase track update rates within selected sectors while maintaining full 360-degree surveillance. Lockheed Martin also uses Space Time Adaptive Processing (STAP) to suppress ground clutter, sea clutter, jamming, and other electromagnetic interference, significantly improving target detection in challenging operational environments.

Speed and Range

As a radar system, the AN/APY-9 has no speed rating. Instead, its performance is defined by its surveillance and tracking capability. The radar provides continuous 360-degree airborne surveillance using both mechanical rotation and electronic beam steering. Operating in the UHF band allows improved long-range detection of difficult targets, including small, highly maneuverable aircraft, cruise missiles, and low observable threats. While the exact detection range, tracking capacity, pulse repetition frequency, and several other technical parameters remain classified, Lockheed Martin states that the radar is optimized for long-range detection and simultaneous tracking of both air and sea surface targets. Electronic Sector Scanning enables faster updates in any selected 90-degree sector without sacrificing overall situational awareness.

Cost / Price

The U.S. Department of Defense does not publicly disclose the standalone procurement cost of the AN/APY-9 radar because it is acquired as part of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye weapon system. Export is available only through approved U.S. Foreign Military Sales programs and remains subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Although the radar’s individual price is undisclosed, it is regarded as one of the most advanced airborne early warning sensors currently in operational service with the U.S. Navy and selected allied nations.e.