Long Range Discrimination Radar
The Long Range Discrimination Radar that is planned for operational service in Alaska in 2020 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.
LRDR is a Gallium Nitride -based, solid-state Active Electronically Scanned Array early-warning radar, that allows for continuous coverage, even when it is undergoing maintenance. 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 a Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.
Construction in Alaska for the LRDR is scheduled to begin in 2019, tentatively at Clear Air Force Station in central Alaska.AN/SPY-7(V)1
The AN/SPY-71 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-71 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.
Missile Defense Agency has also decided to use AN/SPY-71 for the Aegis Ashore to be installed in Hawaii. Derivatives of the AN/SPY-71 will be used on the Canadian Surface Combatant and the F-110 frigate.
Lockheed Martin is promoting this version of radar as the AN/SPY-1 refurbishment program to the US Navy to extend the lifespan of Ticonderoga-class cruiser and Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to beyond 2040s.
