The Norton SOund got the prototype SPy-1 arrays in about 1973, they were not true SPY-1s as it were, believe they were smaller but it was reasonably fast getting the system set up and running. The SPY-1 were very much base on the SPG58s and SPS32/33 tech and experainces from said systems.
Namely in what NOT to do.
It just took them another decade to finaly get the system out sea on the USS Ticonderoga in 1983. Namely cause of funding, design and doctrine issues. Just look at all the Designs for the Strike Cruisers for example.
During which time the Norton Sounds systems was tested on and refined, which is part of the reason why it still in use basically. It went thru one of the most through testing programs ever with the Navy being very picky on the issues.
Didn't stop it from having issues thru.
The User Interface wasn't the best for for one, and the Ticonderoga class dual SPY modules with right angle array design caused timing issues between the Different faces and the directors. Which lead to it basically jamming itself and missing targets since the directors were not pointing in the right directions, or the computers just crashing. You think the Ford and Zumwalt class have issues? They were nothing on the Tico errors in the 80s to early 90s.
Which lead into the New Threat Upgrade being considered "better" at the time that you still see on occasion.
Rather or not the Strike would have that issue I don't know.
And Yes apperantly the SCANFAR solid State was more reliable and about 20 tons lighter. But at the end of the day it was still...
A problemic system that the navy felt pulling it for the Aegis system later downgraded for the NTU was worth the cost and effort.
