SPY-1과 SPY-6의 차이; 전력소모, AESA, GaN

[위종민]

PESA에서 AESA로 개량된 SPY-6는 전기를 더 많이 먹어서 플라이트I, II에는 달질 못하네요. 플라이트III에는 4천kW짜리 발전기 3대가 장착되지만 초기형 DDG-51에는 2500kW짜리 3대가 달려있다고 합니다. 

SPY-1과 SPY-6 레이더의 차이는 무엇인가?

더 복잡하고 혼잡해진 해양 환경에서 레이더 능력을 확장하기 위한 전환이 진행되고 있다.

존 힐
2026년 8월 4일

SPY-6은 7개 함급에서 방공 및 미사일 방어 임무를 수행하는 레이더 계열이다. 출처: RTX.

* RTX의 사업부인 레이시온은 버지니아의 지상 시설에서 SPY-6(V)4 레이더 배열 시험을 시작할 예정이다.
* 이번 이정표는 Flight IIA형 DDG 51 구축함에 첨단 AESA 레이더 능력을 개량 장착하는 데 한 걸음 더 가까워졌음을 의미한다.
* 이 보고서는 앞으로 이루어질 성능 향상을 이해하기 위해 두 레이더의 차이점을 살펴본다.

레이시온은 버지니아주 월롭스 아일랜드의 지상 기반 수상전투체계센터에 고정형 배열 SPY-6(V)4 레이더를 인도하고 설치함으로써 미 해군 함정에 차세대 방공·미사일 방어 레이더를 배치하는 작업에서 진전을 이루고 있다고 회사 측은 밝혔다.

이번 이정표는 USS 핑크니(DDG 91)를 시작으로 총 47척의 알레이 버크급(DDG 51) Flight IIA 구축함 전체에 새로운 체계를 개량 장착하기 위한 프로그램의 한 단계에 불과하다.

버지니아 시설에서 SPY-6(V)4 장비는 전력 및 전투체계 인터페이스와 함께 초기 시험을 받게 되며, 이 단계는 2028년 중반에 완료될 예정이다.

레이시온 해군전력 부문 사장 바버라 보르고노비는 이 레이더가 함정에 설치되기 전에 전용 전력체계와 통합될 것이며, 이는 “조선소에서 보내는 시간이 줄어든다”는 것을 의미한다고 설명했다.

그렇다면 SPY-6 계열은 현재 미 해군 함대에서 사용 중인 SPY-1과 어느 정도나 다른가?

구형과 신형

“SPY-1 레이더는 여전히 운용되고 있습니다. 더 이상 생산되지는 않지만, 함대에는 SPY-1 레이더가 있으며 앞으로도 계속 함대에서 운용될 것입니다.”라고 레이시온 해군체계 및 유지지원 부문 부사장 스콧 스펜스가 2025년 초 Naval Technology에 말했다.

레이시온이 Flight IIA형의 개량 장착을 시작하는 가운데, Flight I과 II 같은 일부 구형 선체는 비용과 우선순위, 그리고 SPY-6 계열이 요구하는 높은 전력 수요를 감당하지 못하게 하는 심각한 전력 및 냉각 한계 때문에 SPY-1 레이더를 유지하게 된다.

최신 Flight III 구축함에는 각각 4,000킬로와트의 전력을 생산하는 롤스로이스 AG9160RF 발전기 3기가 탑재된다. 반면 초기 DDG 51은 각각 2,500kW를 생산하는 AG9130RF 발전기 3기를 사용한다.

수동식과 능동식

두 레이더의 주요 차이는 무선주파수를 생성하는 방식이다.

SPY-1D는 수동 전자주사배열(PESA)로, 이는 이 체계가 주어진 어느 마이크로초에도 하나의 특정 주파수에서 단 하나의 레이더 빔만 송출할 수 있다는 것을 의미한다. 이는 운용자가 복잡한 다영역 위협을 처리하는 능력을 제한한다.

반면 SPY-6(V)4는 더 큰 유연성을 제공하는 능동 전자주사배열(AESA)이다. 중앙 송신기는 수백 또는 수천 개의 독립적인 소형 고체 송수신 모듈 배열로 대체된다. 각각의 모듈은 자체적으로 무선주파수를 생성한다.

많은 군대가 이러한 전환을 진행하고 있다. 그러나 배치는 한 국가가 하드웨어 통합 비용과 냉각 요구조건, 마이크로칩 공급망을 감당할 수 있는지에 달려 있다.

이 기자는 지난해 발트해 국가 에스토니아에 NATO 순환배치된 이탈리아 공군 관계자들과 현지의 SAMP/T 방공체계에 관해 이야기를 나눴다. 당시 이탈리아 공군은 기존 ARABEL 체계를 KRONOS로 알려진 실험적 AESA 배열로 업그레이드하고 있었다.

질화갈륨

또 다른 중요한 차이는 AESA 배열의 모듈에 전력을 공급하기 위해 질화갈륨(GaN) 반도체 소재를 사용한다는 점이다.

PESA 배열이 하나의 중앙 전력원에 의존하는 것과 달리, AESA 배열은 전력 생성을 개별 모듈로 분산시킨다.

GaN 이전에는 구형 AESA 레이더가 비화갈륨(GaAs)에 의존했다. GaN으로 전환하면 더 높은 전력밀도, 열효율, 대역폭이라는 상당한 물리적·전자기적 이점을 제공한다.

2026년 5월 레이시온은 미군에 13번째 지상 기반 이동식 AN/TPY-2 레이더를 인도했지만, 이전 장비들이 여전히 GaAs를 사용했던 것과 달리 GaN 배열을 적용한 것은 이번이 처음이었다. GaN 기술은 레이더의 감도를 향상시키는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 이는 다시 탐지거리를 늘리고 감시 능력을 향상시키며 극초음속 위협에 대한 방어를 가능하게 한다.

새로운 해양 환경

SPY-6는 저고도 무인항공체계(UAS)와 전자공격이 넘쳐나는 혼잡한 해양 환경의 위협에 대응하기 위해 기존 SPY-1D 레이더의 능력을 확장한다.

홍해와 페르시아만에서 나타나는 현대 분쟁의 흐름은 일방향 공격 UAS가 세계 해상무역을 교란하는 데 있어 갖는 비대칭적 이점과 동맹국 해군이 시행하는 제한적인 억제 조치를 보여준다. 한편 우크라이나-러시아 전쟁은 전자기 스펙트럼에서 주파수와 연결에 영향을 미치기 위한 경쟁의 사례를 보여준다.

이러한 새로운 형태의 위협은 탐지, 추적, 분류에서 전례 없는 유연성을 요구하며, AESA 구조는 운용자에게 이러한 능력을 제공한다.

그러나 레이시온은 AESA를 더욱 발전시키려 하고 있다. 소프트웨어 정의 개구를 사용하면 운용자는 소프트웨어 업데이트를 통해 각각의 작은 블록, 즉 “하위 배열”에 서로 다른 임무를 수행하도록 명령할 수 있다. 전통적으로는 이를 위해 시간과 비용이 드는 물리적 하드웨어 교체가 필요했다.

SPY-1과 SPY-6 레이더의 차이는 무엇인가?

더 복잡하고 혼잡해진 해양 환경에서 레이더 능력을 확장하기 위한 전환이 진행되고 있다.

존 힐
2026년 8월 4일

SPY-6은 7개 함급에서 방공 및 미사일 방어 임무를 수행하는 레이더 계열이다. 출처: RTX.

* RTX의 사업부인 레이시온은 버지니아의 지상 시설에서 SPY-6(V)4 레이더 배열 시험을 시작할 예정이다.
* 이번 이정표는 Flight IIA형 DDG 51 구축함에 첨단 AESA 레이더 능력을 개량 장착하는 데 한 걸음 더 가까워졌음을 의미한다.
* 이 보고서는 앞으로 이루어질 성능 향상을 이해하기 위해 두 레이더의 차이점을 살펴본다.

레이시온은 버지니아주 월롭스 아일랜드의 지상 기반 수상전투체계센터에 고정형 배열 SPY-6(V)4 레이더를 인도하고 설치함으로써 미 해군 함정에 차세대 방공·미사일 방어 레이더를 배치하는 작업에서 진전을 이루고 있다고 회사 측은 밝혔다.

이번 이정표는 USS 핑크니(DDG 91)를 시작으로 총 47척의 알레이 버크급(DDG 51) Flight IIA 구축함 전체에 새로운 체계를 개량 장착하기 위한 프로그램의 한 단계에 불과하다.

버지니아 시설에서 SPY-6(V)4 장비는 전력 및 전투체계 인터페이스와 함께 초기 시험을 받게 되며, 이 단계는 2028년 중반에 완료될 예정이다.

레이시온 해군전력 부문 사장 바버라 보르고노비는 이 레이더가 함정에 설치되기 전에 전용 전력체계와 통합될 것이며, 이는 “조선소에서 보내는 시간이 줄어든다”는 것을 의미한다고 설명했다.

그렇다면 SPY-6 계열은 현재 미 해군 함대에서 사용 중인 SPY-1과 어느 정도나 다른가?

구형과 신형

“SPY-1 레이더는 여전히 운용되고 있습니다. 더 이상 생산되지는 않지만, 함대에는 SPY-1 레이더가 있으며 앞으로도 계속 함대에서 운용될 것입니다.”라고 레이시온 해군체계 및 유지지원 부문 부사장 스콧 스펜스가 2025년 초 Naval Technology에 말했다.

레이시온이 Flight IIA형의 개량 장착을 시작하는 가운데, Flight I과 II 같은 일부 구형 선체는 비용과 우선순위, 그리고 SPY-6 계열이 요구하는 높은 전력 수요를 감당하지 못하게 하는 심각한 전력 및 냉각 한계 때문에 SPY-1 레이더를 유지하게 된다.

최신 Flight III 구축함에는 각각 4,000킬로와트의 전력을 생산하는 롤스로이스 AG9160RF 발전기 3기가 탑재된다. 반면 초기 DDG 51은 각각 2,500kW를 생산하는 AG9130RF 발전기 3기를 사용한다.

수동식과 능동식

두 레이더의 주요 차이는 무선주파수를 생성하는 방식이다.

SPY-1D는 수동 전자주사배열(PESA)로, 이는 이 체계가 주어진 어느 마이크로초에도 하나의 특정 주파수에서 단 하나의 레이더 빔만 송출할 수 있다는 것을 의미한다. 이는 운용자가 복잡한 다영역 위협을 처리하는 능력을 제한한다.

반면 SPY-6(V)4는 더 큰 유연성을 제공하는 능동 전자주사배열(AESA)이다. 중앙 송신기는 수백 또는 수천 개의 독립적인 소형 고체 송수신 모듈 배열로 대체된다. 각각의 모듈은 자체적으로 무선주파수를 생성한다.

많은 군대가 이러한 전환을 진행하고 있다. 그러나 배치는 한 국가가 하드웨어 통합 비용과 냉각 요구조건, 마이크로칩 공급망을 감당할 수 있는지에 달려 있다.

이 기자는 지난해 발트해 국가 에스토니아에 NATO 순환배치된 이탈리아 공군 관계자들과 현지의 SAMP/T 방공체계에 관해 이야기를 나눴다. 당시 이탈리아 공군은 기존 ARABEL 체계를 KRONOS로 알려진 실험적 AESA 배열로 업그레이드하고 있었다.

질화갈륨

또 다른 중요한 차이는 AESA 배열의 모듈에 전력을 공급하기 위해 질화갈륨(GaN) 반도체 소재를 사용한다는 점이다.

PESA 배열이 하나의 중앙 전력원에 의존하는 것과 달리, AESA 배열은 전력 생성을 개별 모듈로 분산시킨다.

GaN 이전에는 구형 AESA 레이더가 비화갈륨(GaAs)에 의존했다. GaN으로 전환하면 더 높은 전력밀도, 열효율, 대역폭이라는 상당한 물리적·전자기적 이점을 제공한다.

2026년 5월 레이시온은 미군에 13번째 지상 기반 이동식 AN/TPY-2 레이더를 인도했지만, 이전 장비들이 여전히 GaAs를 사용했던 것과 달리 GaN 배열을 적용한 것은 이번이 처음이었다. GaN 기술은 레이더의 감도를 향상시키는 것으로 알려져 있으며, 이는 다시 탐지거리를 늘리고 감시 능력을 향상시키며 극초음속 위협에 대한 방어를 가능하게 한다.

새로운 해양 환경

SPY-6는 저고도 무인항공체계(UAS)와 전자공격이 넘쳐나는 혼잡한 해양 환경의 위협에 대응하기 위해 기존 SPY-1D 레이더의 능력을 확장한다.

홍해와 페르시아만에서 나타나는 현대 분쟁의 흐름은 일방향 공격 UAS가 세계 해상무역을 교란하는 데 있어 갖는 비대칭적 이점과 동맹국 해군이 시행하는 제한적인 억제 조치를 보여준다. 한편 우크라이나-러시아 전쟁은 전자기 스펙트럼에서 주파수와 연결에 영향을 미치기 위한 경쟁의 사례를 보여준다.

이러한 새로운 형태의 위협은 탐지, 추적, 분류에서 전례 없는 유연성을 요구하며, AESA 구조는 운용자에게 이러한 능력을 제공한다.

그러나 레이시온은 AESA를 더욱 발전시키려 하고 있다. 소프트웨어 정의 개구를 사용하면 운용자는 소프트웨어 업데이트를 통해 각각의 작은 블록, 즉 “하위 배열”에 서로 다른 임무를 수행하도록 명령할 수 있다. 전통적으로는 이를 위해 시간과 비용이 드는 물리적 하드웨어 교체가 필요했다.

What is the difference between SPY-1 and SPY-6 radars? - Naval Technology

What is the difference between SPY-1 and SPY-6 radars?

What is the difference between SPY-1 and SPY-6 radars?

A transition is underway to extend radar capabilities in a more complex and congested maritime environment.

John HillAugust 4, 2026

Share

•  
•  
•  
•  

SPY-6 is the a family of radars that perform air and missile defence on seven ship classes. Credit: RTX.

• Raytheon, an RTX business, will begin testing its SPY-6(V)4 radar array at a land based facility in Virginia
• The milestone marks a step closer to backfitting Flight IIA DDG 51s with an advanced AESA radar capability
• This report examines the differences between the two radars in order to grasp the forthcoming improvements in performance

Raytheon is making headway with the rollout of new generation air and missile defence radars onto US Navy ships, the company claim, having delivered and installed a fixed-face array SPY-6(V)4 radar at the land-based Surface Combat Systems Center in Wallops Island, Virginia.

The milestone is just one step in a programme to backfit the new system across all 47 Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Flight IIA destroyers, beginning with USS Pinckney (DDG 91).

At the Virginia facility, the SPY-6(V)4 unit will undergo initial testing along with the power and combat system interfaces; the phase is scheduled to conclude in mid-2028.

The president of naval power at Raytheon, Barbara Borgonovi, explained that the radar will be integrated with its dedicated power system prior to shipboard installation, which means “less time in the shipyard.”

But to what extent does the SPY-6 family differ from the existing SPY-1 in use across the US Navy fleet?

Old and new

“SPY‑1 radars are out there still. They’re no longer in production, but there are SPY‑1 radars that are in the fleet and will continue to operate in the fleet,” said Scott Spence, vice president of naval systems and sustainment at Raytheon, speaking to Naval Technology in early 2025.

While Raytheon begins to backfit Flight IIAs, some older hulls such as Flights I and II will retain the SPY-1 radar due to cost, prioritisation, and severe electrical and cooling limitations that prevent the vessels from supporting the high-power demands of the SPY-6 family.

The latest Flight III destroyers incorporate three Rolls-Royce AG9160RF generators, which produces 4,000 kilowatts of power per unit. Early DDG 51s, meanwhile, use three AG9130RF generators, which produce 2,500 kW each.

Passive and active

The main difference between the two radars is how they generate radio frequencies.

SPY-1D is a passive electronically scanned array (PESA), meaning the system can only broadcast a single radar beam at one specific frequency at any given microsecond. This limits the operator’s ability to handle complex, multi-domain threats.

On the other hand, SPY-6(V)4 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) providing greater flexibility. The central transmitter is replaced with an array of hundreds or thousands of independent, miniature solid-state transmit/receive modules. Each of these generates its own radio frequency.

Many militaries are making the transition. But the rollout depends on whether a country can afford the hardware integration, the cooling requirements and the microchip supply chains.

This reporter spoke to members of the Italian Air Force on a Nato rotation in Estonia regarding its SAMP/T air defence system in the Baltic country last year. At the time, the force was upgrading its legacy ARABEL system with an experimental AESA array, known as KRONOS.

Gallium nitride

Another crucial difference is the use of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor material to power modules in an AESA array.

Rather than relying on one central power source for PESA arrays, an AESA array decentralises power generation to individual modules.

Before GaN, older AESA radars relied on gallium arsenide (GaAs). Switching to GaN provides substantial physical and electromagnetic advantages: higher power density, thermal efficiency and bandwidth.

In May 2026, Raytheon delivered its 13th ground-based, transportable AN/TPY-2 radar to the US military, but it was the first unit to incorporate a GaN array, where earlier units had still used GaAs. GaN technology is said to enhance the radar’s sensitivity, which in turn extends its range, increases surveillance capabilities and enables defence against hypersonic threats.

New maritime environment

SPY-6 extends the capabilities of the existing SPY-1D radar to meet the threats in a congested maritime environment saturated with low-altitude uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and electronic attack.

Contemporary conflict trends in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf demonstrate the asymmetric advantage of one-way attack UAS in disrupting global maritime trade and the limited deterrence measures implemented by allied navies. The Ukraine-Russia war, meanwhile, exemplifies the contest to influence frequencies and connections in the electromagnetic spectrum.

These new threat forms require unprecedented flexibility in detection, tracking and classification, which the AESA architecture offers operators.

But Raytheon is also seeking to advance AESA further. Using software-defined apertures, an operator is able to command each small block – or “sub-array” – to perform different tasks through software updates, which would traditionally require a physical hardware replacement that takes time and money.

Sign up for our dail