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You emphasise that the SPQ-9B can detect surface targets. We agree. We also agree that the SPQ-9B is capable of detecting and tracking air targets. This is its main function.

I found no indication that the SPS-73(V)18 is designed to detect airborne targets. This is not emphasised in the company's description or any other description.

I think there's a difference between a pure surface radar and a radar designed to search for air targets. A surface radar produces a narrow beam that scans the surface of the water. By 'narrow', I mean that it is not high on the Z axis. See also the shape of the antennas, which are very low. I don't know the shape of the SPS-73(V)18, but it probably isn't much different because the radome is still not very high. I think this is done to limit radar emissions and thereby reduce the probability of detection. This is not possible with a radar designed to search for air targets. The radar beam has to be wider (higher). Consequently, the SPQ-9B antenna is much higher than that of typical surface radars (e.g. SPS-67 and the older SPS-73).

You are right that the SPQ-9B is probably not a phased array radar. I'm not sure why I thought it was.

Regarding the X and S bands in the case of the SPY-6, I also found this text claiming that it consists of the X and S bands. However, the statement that the SPQ-9B is the X-band component in the first sets is irritating. To me, this can only be understood to mean that SPY-6 is an S-band radar. The X-band radar must be a different one. This could be either the SPQ-9B or the Future X-Band Radar (FXR).