Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and shipbuilders with Newport News Shipbuilding successfully reinstalled the SPQ-9 and AN/SPS-10 surface search Radio Detection and Ranging on the ship's mast May 13, reaching another key milestone during the current Refueling and Complex Overhaul.

This evolution is a part of the continuing effort to reinstall combat systems equipment and get Lincoln ready to return to the fleet.

"These RADAR systems provide vital functions for safe navigation of the ship," said Lt. Loudon Westgard, a division officer assigned to the Combat Systems Department. "These RADAR systems are the primary sensors for Surface Warfare."

The AN/SPS-10 is a three-dimensional surface search RADAR that allows for 360 degrees of coverage and is used for the detection, ranging and tracking of surface targets.

In addition to surface search, the SPQ-9 also provides fire control data to the combat system for anti-ship cruise missile defense.

Over the next few months the Combat Systems Department along with Newport News Shipbuilding will continue to install additional antennas for navigational, communications and aircraft landing functions.

Lincoln arrived at Newport News in March 2013 to begin the RCOH process. During the carrier's RCOH, the shipyard refuels the ship's reactors, paints the ship's hull, modernizes systems and performs a complete recapitalization of the entire ship. This process produces a recapitalized carrier capable of supporting current and future warfare doctrine. Once the RCOH is complete, Lincoln will continue to operate in the U.S. Navy fleet for another 25 years.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.