Ballistic Missile Defense Radars

The Ballistic Missile Defense Radars program, under Program Element (PE) 1203873SF, is a United States Air Force initiative focused on the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) of advanced radar systems to support national ballistic missile defense and space domain awareness missions. The primary objective of this program is to modernize and sustain critical radar assets, such as the COBRA DANE (CD) radar and the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS), to ensure continued effectiveness against evolving missile threats and to maintain situational awareness in space.

COBRA DANE Radar Modernization is a central component of this program. Located at Eareckson Air Station, Alaska, COBRA DANE is recognized as a powerful and sensitive ground-based midcourse defense radar in the United States inventory. Its goals include detecting and tracking intercontinental and sea-launched ballistic missiles, classifying reentry vehicles, and providing real-time data to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Fire Control system. COBRA DANE also supports the U.S. Space Command's Space Domain Awareness mission by cataloging and characterizing objects in low-Earth orbit, including space debris and new foreign launches.

A major objective within the COBRA DANE modernization effort is the Automated Data Processing Equipment (ADPE) Rehost Upgrade, Phase II. This project aims to replace and modernize the radar's signal processor, radar controller, receiver-exciter, and mission computer with an open architecture solution. The upgrade is designed to enhance system resiliency, cybersecurity, operational availability, and to facilitate rapid hardware and software development. The modernization will extend the service life of COBRA DANE through at least 2030, ensuring it remains viable against current and emerging threats.

The ADPE Rehost program leverages a combination of Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, University Affiliated Research Centers, and Assistance and Advisory Services contractors to conduct studies, technical analysis, prototyping, and system integration. The approach includes a phased acquisition strategy, utilizing traditional delivery orders under a UARC, and focuses on evolutionary upgrades to support adaptable system sustainment and future capability additions.

PARCS Radar Digitization Upgrade Study is another significant line item within this program. This congressional add funds a systematic study to determine requirements for modernizing the PARCS radar from its current analog infrastructure to a digital phased array radar. The goal is to ensure the radar can keep pace with modern threats by improving detection, tracking, and characterization capabilities. The study encompasses program office support, technical analysis, experimentation, and prototyping, and is executed through an existing indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract.

The Sensor Development project, which encompasses both the COBRA DANE and PARCS modernization efforts, is structured to support both immediate and long-term program planning and execution. Activities include studies and analyses to inform current upgrades and to plan for future enhancements, particularly in communication elements and front-end radar components. The program also allocates funds for management services and test and evaluation activities to ensure that system upgrades meet operational requirements.