Lockheed Martin Continues Partnership With Spain For Future Frigates

MOORESTOWN, N.J. — Lockheed Martin recently signed a contract with Navantia to equip five new F-110 multimission frigates and their land-based test site (Centro de Integración de Sistemas en Tierra or CIST) with Lockheed’s first naval installation of its solid-state S-band radar, the company said in a Dec. 5 release. The new F-110 frigates will be built by Spain’s national shipbuilder, Navantia. 

Recently designated by the U.S. government as AN/SPY-7(V)1, this technology is derived from current radar programs and significant Lockheed investment. Variants of the SPY-7 radar will also be utilized on programs with Japan’s Aegis Ashore, the Royal Canadian Navy for the Canadian Surface Combatant program and the U.S. government. 

Providing Spain’s homeland with a defense for evolving threats, the F-110 program will further protect the country and its citizens. Equipped with the latest digital, solid-state radar technology, this crucial program: 

• Ensures Spain’s warfighters have the most capable combat system to perform new missions. 

• Strengthens Spain’s economy through industrial participation. 
• Advances Spain’s competitiveness in the global market by providing an opportunity for joint technology development. 
• Paves the way for interoperability with navies across the world, thanks to Aegis’ open architecture. 

The F-110 will host the first-ever naval solid-state S-band radar for the Spanish navy. To foster the growth of Spain’s defense and technology industries, Lockheed and a Spanish company, Indra, will jointly provide the radar. It will go to sea as part of the Aegis Weapon System, which will be integrated with the ship’s combat management system SCOMBA, when the first frigate deploys in 2026. 

The Aegis Weapon System is the most deployed combat system in the world, and its flexible system enables it to fulfill a variety of missions. Due in part to its unique open architecture design, the Aegis family continues to grow internationally as more nations around the world partner with Lockheed.