The U.S. Air Force Space Command has awarded BAE Systems a three-year
contract extension to continue maintaining its space radars used for
missile warning and space surveillance operations. The company provides
a range of services, including around-the-clock operations and
maintenance, to manage and sustain these critical assets. The award is a
continuation of work that BAE Systems has been performing for the
program since 2007, and raises the cumulative value of the contract to
approximately $540 million.
U.S. Air Force Space Command awarded BAE Systems a three-year contract extension to continue maintaining its space radars used for missile warning and space surveillance operations. (Photo: BAE Systems)
The Solid State Phased Array Radar System (SSPARS) is a complex network
of radars that tracks more than 16,000 objects orbiting Earth. The radar
system detects and identifies various man-made objects in space, such as
active or inactive satellites, rocket parts, and other debris. The
system also tracks objects that may enter the atmosphere — information
that is vital to air missile defense operations and to protecting
against submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
“The contract extension builds on our strong and successful track record
in support of Air Force Space Command,” said Tom White, senior director
of Mission Support Solutions at BAE Systems. “This program is a critical
part of national defense, and our role ensures that our customer is
always ready.”
SSPARS is capable of conducting about 40,000 space observations daily.
System locations include Cape Cod Air Force Station in Massachusetts,
Beale Air Force Base in California, Clear Air Force Station in Alaska,
Thule Air Base in Greenland, and the Royal Air Force Fylingdales in the
United Kingdom.
BAE Systems provides a full spectrum of services to extend the life and
readiness of ground aviation, electronics, communications, aerospace,
and avionics platforms for customers across the globe.
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