Army Recognition
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has completed the first SPY-7 radar detection trials for its Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) program, validating multi-target tracking capability against simulated missile threats in the United States.
Conducted with Lockheed Martin and U.S. partners, the tests confirmed the radar’s ability to detect, classify, and track complex ballistic targets, strengthening Japan’s future sea-based missile defense capacity. The trials, involving SPY-7 integrated with the Aegis combat system in an operational configuration, demonstrated Japan’s progress toward deployable 360-degree ballistic missile defense, directly enhancing readiness and deterrence against regional missile threats through improved tracking accuracy and engagement timelines.
The two ASEV vessels are expected to rank among the largest surface combatants, with an overall length of about 190 meters, a beam of 25 meters, and a full-load displacement possibly exceeding 16,000 tons, surpassing the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke Flight III destroyers.
On March 20, 2026, Japan’s Ministry of Defense announced that the first target detection trials for the Japanese Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV) were completed in the United States on March 17 and 19. The trials took place at a dedicated facility in Moorestown, New Jersey, using targets launched from controlled test infrastructure and involving coordination with the Missile Defense Agency, Lockheed Martin, and support from the U.S. Navy. The SPY-7 radar was operated in conjunction with the Aegis combat system in a configuration representative of the final ship installation, allowing evaluation across the full sequence of search, detection, identification, tracking, and target management.