Radar Development

The Radar Development program within the Army's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget is focused on advancing and modernizing radar capabilities to support integrated air and missile defense operations. The program is divided between two primary projects: Sentinel and Army Long Range Persistent Surveillance (ALPS). Its objective is to enhance the Army's ability to detect, track, and respond to a wide range of aerial threats, including cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, in increasingly contested environments.

Sentinel is a key component of the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense (AIAMD) architecture. Funding supports ongoing enhancements, upgrades, and testing of the Sentinel Radar systems. The program aims to incrementally field an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Fire Control System for Army Air and Missile Defense Brigades, improving the Army's ability to provide critical air surveillance and fire control data in forward operational areas. Sentinel systems are designed to be interoperable with Army and Joint networks, enabling protection of U.S. and allied forces as well as critical geopolitical assets.

The Sentinel program is currently focused on two main radar variants: Sentinel A3 and Sentinel A4. The Sentinel A4, developed under a Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF) contract, utilizes Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology to provide 360-degree surveillance and tracking of multiple simultaneous threats. Funding will support continuous software enhancements, developmental and operational testing, and documentation required for full-rate production decisions. The Sentinel A3 continues to receive technical assessments, software development, and performance analysis to address emerging threats, though its development activities are winding down as the program transitions to production.

A significant objective for Sentinel is the development and implementation of new signal processing techniques and waveforms to enhance Electronic Attack (EA) and Electronic Protect (EP) capabilities. These efforts are intended to improve radar survivability and effectiveness against sophisticated electronic warfare threats posed by near-peer adversaries. The program also emphasizes integration with common fires mission command systems and the use of continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) software practices to rapidly respond to evolving operational requirements.

Army Long Range Persistent Surveillance (ALPS) is the second major project under Radar Development. ALPS is a persistent, passive air surveillance sensor system designed to provide long-range, 360-degree detection of conventional aircraft, UAS, and cruise missiles. Its capabilities are intended to support both tactical and strategic operations by connecting with multiple Army and Joint Command and Control systems, including the Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN).

The ALPS program was initiated in response to urgent operational needs identified by multiple Combatant Commands. Objectives include continued development of system design, creation of interface specifications, building prototype assets for qualification and testing, and integration of safety and human systems. The program is also tasked with developing a Fixed Site capability for homeland defense and modernizing existing systems to provide a passive mobile capability for Army Air and Missile Defense forces. Acquisition activities will include competitive prototyping and preparation for the Engineering, Manufacturing, and Development (EMD) phase.

Both Sentinel and ALPS are managed by the Army's Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, with oversight and direction provided through established acquisition pathways and milestone decision authorities. The Radar Development program is structured to ensure that the Army's radar systems remain resilient, survivable, and effective against evolving threats, while supporting broader modernization priorities and integration with joint and coalition partners. The funding profile reflects a balance between ongoing development, testing, and the transition to production for these critical sensor systems.