WASHINGTON, 1 Nov. 2009. Leaders of the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington awarded a $26.6 million contract to the Northrop Grumman Corp. Sperry Marine segment in Melville, N.Y., Friday for four AN/SPQ-9B radar system sets for Navy surface ship self defense.

The AN/SPQ-9B shipboard radar provides the capability to detect and track fast sea-skimming anti-ship missile threats, which are difficult to pick up in the radar clutter of ocean waves, and helps train 5-inch deck guns onto air and surface targets as part of the Mk 86 gun fire control system.

The Navy plans to install the AN/SPQ-9B high resolution, X-band narrow beam missile defense radar aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, Ticonderoga-class cruisers, Arleigh Burke- and Spruance-class destroyers, as well as Wasp- and San Antonio-class amphibious assault ships for protection against sea-skimming missile threats.

The radar works in the presence of clutter from the sea, rain, land, discrete objects, birds, chaff, and jamming. This contract includes options that could bring its total value to $281.5 million, and combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

Work will be in Melville, N.Y., Norwalk, Conn., and Baltimore, Md., and should be finished by April 2011.

For more information contact Naval Sea Systems Command online at www.navsea.navy.mil, or Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine at www.sperrymarine.northropgrumman.com.