Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) has announced a new contract with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to produce the AN/SPQ-9B radar, a ship-based system designed for air and surface target detection. The contract, including options that could extend over five years, is valued at over $235 million.
Under this agreement, Leonardo DRS will manufacture, inspect, and test the AN/SPQ-9B radars, along with associated spare kits. “The SPQ-9B radar is a vital defense system for ships across the fleet, and we are honored that the U.S. Navy continues to place its trust in us to deliver this critical technology,” said Cari Ossenfort, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Leonardo DRS’s Naval Electronics division. Ossenfort highlighted the company’s expertise in complex manufacturing and engineering as key factors in maintaining its trusted partnership with NAVSEA and PEO Integrated Warfare Systems.
The AN/SPQ-9B radar is an advanced X-band, pulse Doppler, frequency-agile radar, designed specifically to operate effectively in coastal environments. Known for its low false track rate in high-clutter situations, the system scans to the horizon and provides simultaneous air and surface target detection and tracking. It is optimized to identify and monitor low-flying threats such as anti-ship cruise missiles, surface vessels, UAVs, and helicopters, offering enhanced protection for naval vessels.
This contract reinforces Leonardo DRS’s capabilities in RF and electronic warfare systems, building on the company’s six-year history supporting the AN/SPQ-9B program. Leonardo DRS remains a leader in complex design and manufacturing, supporting a wide range of naval, ground, air, space, and cyber missions, with expertise spanning areas such as sensing, force protection, networking, and naval power systems.