The U.S. and Japan, along with Lockheed Martin, conducted the first live tracking demonstration of the AN/SPY-7(V)1 radar integrated with the Aegis Weapon System on March 28. This successful test is central to Japan’s Aegis System Equipped Vessel program for missile defense.
The test took place at Lockheed Martin’s Production Test Center in Moorestown, New Jersey, led by the Missile Defense Agency with U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel present.
Japan plans to commission Aegis System Equipped Vessels in March 2028 and 2029, providing regional missile defense capability to the nation.
The SPY-7 radar, with technology similar to the Long Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska, will be installed on Japanese ships, along with the Spanish Navy’s F-110 frigate and the Canadian Surface Combatant.
Live testing is ongoing to ensure hardware and software integration with combat systems, reducing risk before installation on ships.
