Surface warship radar experts at the Raytheon Co. will build three advanced-prototype versions of the new AN/SPY-6(V) Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) under terms of $402.7 million U.S. Navy order announced in March. Officials of the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington are asking the Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems segment in Marlborough, Mass., to provide three low-rate initial production (LRIP) versions of the AMDR for late-model Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis destroyers. LRIP means building small quantities of the system to enable Navy experts to test the it thoroughly to ensure it meets Navy requirements. This phase also enables Raytheon to tool-up for full-rate production. LRIP is the first step in switching from customized hand-built prototypes to the final mass-produced end product. The AMDR will supersede the AN/SPY-1 radar, which has been standard equipment on Navy Aegis Burke-class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers.
