Long Range Discrimination Radar

The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Alaska 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]

AN/SPY-7

The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska
Country of origin	United States
Type	Active electronically scanned array early-warning radar
Frequency	S band
Other Names	Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)

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 the Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.^[3]

Construction in Alaska for the LRDR was scheduled to begin in 2019,^[1] tentatively at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska.^[4] Each AESA's dimensions are 60 feet high by 60 feet wide; the field of view is 220 degrees.^[5]

In late February 2021, the Missile Defense Agency said that the radar installation was underway, with Initial Operational Capability to be achieved in 2021.^[6] Testing for Full Operational Capability is expected by 2023.^[5]

In mid-August 2023, the Flight Test Other-26 (FTX-26) was cancelled due to an anomaly with the live ballistic missile target. When operational, the LRDR will be tied into the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications system.^[7]

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 pairs 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.^[8]

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 River-class destroyer and the Spanish F-110 frigate.^[9]

In September 2020, AN/SPY-7(V)1 was chosen by Canada as the primary radar for its future River-class destroyer along with CMS-330 Combat Management System with Aegis Combat System.^[10]

Lockheed Martin promoted this version of radar as the AN/SPY-1 refurbishment program to the US Navy to extend the lifespan of the Ticonderoga-class cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to beyond the 2040s.^[11] In December 2021, the AN/SPY-6 AESA radar from Raytheon was selected to retrofit Flight IIA Arleigh Burke destroyers; the same radar is used on Flight III ships.^[12][13]