US Navy issues new FXR request for information

A testbed radar – installed atop a 40 ft tower acting as a proxy ship mast – has been employed by NSWCDD since mid-2020 as an FXR test asset and risk reduction system. (US Navy)

A request for information (RFI) released by US Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) on 16 January has called for industry input to inform future decisions on development and initial production of the Future X-band Radar (FXR) being planned for large surface combatants, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, and amphibious ships.

Complementary to the Raytheon AN/SPY-6(V) family of S-band radars, the FXR programme is intended to deliver a new X-band multifunction radar system performing horizon search and track, surface search and track, periscope detection and discrimination, and missile communications.

It will primarily replace the functional capabilities of the current mechanically scanning AN/SPQ-9B X-band radar, while also introducing an additional capability for missile communications and advanced electronic protection.

NAVSEA, acting on behalf of the Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Above Water Sensors and Lasers directorate, has asked candidate suppliers to provide both acquisition and technical information to increase “our understanding of industry interest and capability for FXR development, initial FXR production, and inform acquisition decisions”. Responses to the acquisition section of the RFI are due for submission no later than 6 February, with technical responses required by close of business on 13 February.

The latest RFI follows a series of NAVSEA FXR industry engagements in 2023 outlining the US Navy's (USN's) plans for FXR engineering and manufacturing development and low-rate initial production. An industry day was held in May 2023, with one-to-one meetings with individual contractors following in June to discuss government-furnished information documentation.