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Posted by Ralph Wood on July 26, 2026, 14:11:22, in reply to "Re: SPQ-9B and SPS-73 (NGSSR)"
Spent a lot of time reading about both NGSSR and SPQ-9B, trying to understand precise differences. Failed.
However, I next looked at the details of the FXR program, which is the program specifically to replace SPQ-9B. Bingo, I got an answer. The FXR program only kicked off last year, and is projected to run until 2033. As such, it's in its infancy...barely off the ground. Waaay too early to be looking for a replacement for SPQ-9B to appear. FXR is very much active, so NGSSR is not a SPQ-9B replacement, nor meant as one. It replaces the navigation radars which sources list, and has some overlap, particularly in PDD...periscope detection and discrimination...with the functions of SPQ-9B, but is otherwise not a fire control specialist radar.
An article:
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/09/navy-preparing-for-future-x-band-radar-competition/
The below I find is subscriber only, but lets you read the opening, which I think illustrates how early in the program everything still is more clearly than other things I've read.
https://www.defensedaily.com/navy-prepares-future-x-band-radar-design-competition/navy-usmc/
Bottom line is that SPQ-9B will continue to be fitted for the immediate future, until its dedicated replacement shows up. NGSSR looks like it will be fitted as well, as Mustin demonstrates. 
Previous Message
I will add this to the subject:
https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/19aknfy/uss_mustin_ddg_89_is_sporting_some_new_gear_after/?solution=fda5989b3c88dac2fda5989b3c88dac2&js_challenge=1&token=7afd7253fec22262ff1c52b1703fe9eca9245ae96c8ea756a3eba41639a86d55&jsc_orig_r=
Mustin with both SPQ-9B and NGSSR. Text below image indicates SPQ-9B might be going away. This may be some sort of direct comparison of the two systems head-to-head.
While I can't find anything that says NGSSR outright replaces SPQ-9B, I strongly suspect "you're on to something." I think the NGSSR is probably a leading candidate. SPQ-9B is billed as a fire control radar, and is tied into the AEGIS system. NGSSR is billed as a navigation radar (which is why it already is claimed to replace the older navigation radars outright.) There's a lot of overlap in their abilities, and the Navy is officially looking for an SPQ-9B replacement. They may be "on the verge" of having found it. Time should shortly tell. Previous Message
Gone as in not there. I never checked to see if it had been installed previously, but assumed that if it was still relevant, it would have been installed this time. After a quick check, you are correct, these ships never got SPQ-9B. I also notice that 3 of the 4 ships are the abandoned mine variants. I guess they needed to be upgraded to become more useful.
According to this article, NGSSR
The new AN/SPS-73(V)18 NGSSR software-defined radar is replacing all variants of the Navy's current AN/SPS-67, AN/SPS-73, BridgeMaster E series, and commercial-of-the-shelf radar systems.
And according to this video by the manufacturer,
This radar does the job as the SPQ-9B
The SPQ-9 is a surface search and fire control radar.
This article talks about the Navy looking to replace the SPQ-9B spq-9b
The radar 2 levels above appears to be the SPS-67. Maybe left on as a backup until the new 73 is certified? Previous Message
What do you mean with "SPQ-9B is gone"?
I thought that these ships never had an SPQ-9B.
The AN/SPS-73(V)18 replaces earlier versions of the SPS-73 (and SPS-67) as navigation and surface search radar.
Both are X-band radars. However, I thought the SPQ-9B's focus was on detecting airborne threats.
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