Long-range radar handed over to US Missile Defence Agency
The US MDA has taken delivery of Lockheed Martin’s LRDR at Clear Space Force Station in Alaska. The radar was delivered after completion of DD250 final acceptance in preparation for an Operational Capability Baseline (OCB) decision and final transition to users.
The system has started Space Domain Awareness data collection for the US Space Force as part of process to transition to operators.
LRDR provides the ability to simultaneously search and track multiple small objects including all classes of ballistic missiles, at very long ranges, under continuous operation.
Its discrimination capability will allow LRDR to identify lethal objects such as enemy warheads and differentiate them from non-lethal decoys.
LRDR, along with other elements of the Missile Defense System, will preserve homeland defence interceptor inventory by conserving the number of ground-based interceptors required for threat engagement.
LRDR operates in S-band frequencies and features a scalable, open-systems architecture designed to be extended to counter evolving threats without changing the hardware design.
It was integrated into the Missile Defense System through the command and control, battle management and communications element. As an example of LRDR’s open systems architecture, Lockheed Martin will add new capability in support of hypersonic defence, which will give users actionable information to support faster decision-making.
More from Air Warfare
-
Turkey moves one step closer towards Eurofighter Typhoon purchase
Germany, the last country in the programme’s consortium to agree to any potential sale, has now softened its objections as the go-ahead for technical talks has been given.
-
Northrop Grumman shows off new M230 Chain Gun at AUSA
The development of a dual-feed version of the 30mm M230 LF Chain Gun could allow for rapid selection between different ammunition types for more versatile battlefield engagement.
-
Sikorsky given DARPA fund to install autonomy on US Army Black Hawk
The Lockheed Martin company plans to integrate the MATRIX system into the MX helicopter by 2025.
-
RTX Raytheon wins $736 million contract to make AIM-9X missiles
Part of a US Navy and US Air Force joint programme, work under this contract will take place across the US up to 2029.
-
General Atomics’ MQ-9B passes full-scale second lifetime fatigue test
The MQ-9B is General Atomics' most advanced remotely piloted aircraft. The fatigue test was the second of three lifetimes of testing for the aircraft, the equivalent of 80,000 hours.
-
AUSA 2024: Leonardo unveils BriteStorm stand-in jammer payload
Leonardo’s BriteStorm payload has been designed to be flown forward of aircraft to deceive ground forces.