The US Navy has successfully flight tested the AN/SPY-6(V) air and missile defence radar (AMDR) against simultaneous air and ballistic missile defence (BMD) targets off the west coast of Hawaii.
A short-range ballistic missile target and multiple air-to-surface cruise missile targets were simultaneously launched as part of the trial exercise, which was designated 'Vigilant Talon'.
The AN/SPY-6(V) AMDR searched for, detected and maintained track on all targets throughout the trajectories.
Vigilant Talon represents the third in a series of BMD flight tests planned for the AN / SPY-6(V) AMDR system.
The test was noted to have met its primary objectives based on preliminary data.
The first and second flight tests in the series were carried out in April and August this year respectively.
Programme Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Above Water Sensors major programme manager US Navy captain Seiko Okano said: “This radar was specifically designed to handle ballistic missiles and cruise missiles simultaneously, and it's doing just that.
“AMDR is successfully demonstrating performance in a series of increasingly difficult test events and is on track to deliver advanced capability to the navy's first Flight III destroyer.”
The system's performance is set to be continuously evaluated by programme officials using telemetry and other data collected during the flight test.
The AN/SPY-6(V) AMDR was built with radar modular assemblies (RMAs) and is being developed by Raytheon for the DDG 51 Flight III destroyer in order to provide the US Navy with the latest technology for integrated air and missile defence purposes.
