Raytheon System Would Detect And Track Space Objects

A system design review (SDR) for a "Space Fence" has been successfully completed by Raytheon. The Space Fence is intended to provide the U.S. Air Force with enhanced space surveillance capability to track and detect space objects.

"As our nation's defense becomes increasingly more dependent on the space domain, a system like Space Fence will be a critical component in the Space Surveillance Network, tracking tens of thousands of objects daily," said David Gulla, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "This successful SDR and prototyping clearly demonstrates the readiness of our design to support the Air Force's needs with an affordable solution."

The SDR included the prototyping of critical system elements to demonstrate increased technical and manufacturing readiness levels.

"We've partnered with the Air Force on requirements trade studies and analysis, balancing cost, capability and technical maturity to deliver a system that provides critical space situational awareness capability to the warfighter," said Scott Spence, program director, Space Fence program for Raytheon IDS. "I'm extremely proud of our Raytheon team. We're confident we can support the Air Force's need for an initial operating capability in 2015 and look forward to the next phase of the program." 

The Space Fence program is a multiphase acquisition leading to the delivery of up to three globally positioned S-band radars capable of interoperation with the Space Surveillance Network. The system will ensure there is no gap in capability as the current systems in the network reach the end of their life spans.

FMI: www.af.mil, www.raytheon.com