Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance | US Systems Deployed | Sensors Ground Based

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PROTECTION

U.S. Systems Deployed

Sensors Ground Based

Forward-Based X-Band Radar

The Ballistic Missile Defense System will deploy forward based radars to enhance the system’s capability by adding robustness against a wide range of threats and providing support for increased protection. The radars will be capable of detecting ballistic missiles early in their flight and will provide precise tracking information for use by the missile defense system. This approach provides overlapping sensor coverage, the potential to extend the Ballistic Missile Defense System battle space, and the ability to complicate an enemy's ability to penetrate the defense system.

Overview

High-resolution, X-band class, phased array radar

Radars will acquire, track, discriminate, classify, identify, and estimate the trajectory parameters of threat missiles and missile components, and pass this information to other Ballistic Missile Defense System tracking, discrimination, and fire control radars downstream.

Transportable by air, ship, and rail

Also deployed with command and control interface, a radar support trailer, generators, and supply containers.

Details

Forward based radars, coupled with layered sensors, give the Ballistic Missile Defense System a continuous tracking and discrimination capability with more opportunities to engage the target, resulting in a greater probability for a successful intercept.

The radars will pass target data to the command and control system for use by the midcourse and terminal sensors.

Performs autonomously or as cued by other sensors

Development

Four transportable forward deployed radars are currently planned. Two were produced by the end of 2007 and deployed to protect the United States and friends and allies from Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and medium range threats.