WASHINGTON, 26 April 2009. U.S. Navy leaders are looking to Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Tewksbury, Mass., to provide two Volume Search Radar systems to satisfy ship radar requirements the Zumwalt-class destroyer and to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Raytheon won a $217 million contract modification for the shipboard radar systems April 23. Awarding the contract was the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington.

The Volume Search Radar (VSR) system is a three-face L-band phased array radar, which works together with the Raytheon Spy-3 multifunction radar system on Zumwalt-class destroyers and Ford-class carriers. The VSR provides target cueing to the Spy-3 radar.

The VSR primarily provides 180-degree horizon-to-horizon radar surveillance to compile a total air picture by searching for and tracking airborne threats.

The next-generation VSR radar also rejects clutter and interference to increase its effectiveness in coastal waters and against surface-skimming threats like anti-ship cruise missiles, jet fighter-bombers, and terrorist attack boats.

In addition, the VSR provides low elevation detection functionality in the stressing clutter and interference environments associated with littoral operation. The S-band VSR's phased array is designed to provide longrange detection of air targets.

Raytheon will do the work at its Moorestown, N.J., and Sudbury, Mass., facilities. For more information contact Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems online at www.raytheon.com.