US Space Force to Upgrade Six Old Radar Stations for Better Missile Defense and Space Monitoring by 2030

The US Space Force is planning to modernize six old ground-based radar systems that play a key role in missile defense and space surveillance. This step is being taken to make sure the radars remain useful against new and evolving threats, and to keep them operating efficiently for many more years.

The Department of Defense recently posted a Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry input on how to digitize these older radars. The goal is to extend the life of these systems, improve their performance, and lower the cost of maintenance. The upgrades will also help solve problems related to outdated parts and technologies.

The updated radars must be built using open and nonproprietary systems. This means future upgrades will be easier and not locked to a single vendor. The military also wants to use commercial off-the-shelf components, which are widely available and cheaper, to save time and reduce development costs.

Each radar will also be equipped with digital receiver technologies that already exist and are proven, making the upgrade process more reliable.

Which Radars Are Being Upgraded?

The plan includes five Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) sites, which have been operating since the early 2000s, and one system known as AN/FPQ‑16 Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS), located in Cavalier, North Dakota, which has been in service since the 1970s.

Timeline and Execution Plan

• Proposals from technology providers must be submitted by August 2025.

• The government may use the Middle Tier Acquisition process, which allows faster development and deployment.

• It may also use Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to quickly prototype upgrades at one UEWR site and the PARCS station.

• If successful, a full contract will be awarded to expand the upgrades to the remaining radar stations.

• Initial operational capability is expected by 2028 for the UEWR radars and 2029 for PARCS.

• Full operational capability for all six radars is planned by 2030.

Capabilities and Benefits

These upgraded radars will:

• Provide better detection of incoming missiles, giving more time for response.

• Offer enhanced space tracking capabilities, helping the Space Force monitor satellites and debris.

• Improve situational awareness with clearer and more accurate data.

• Be easier and cheaper to maintain thanks to modern digital components.

• Stay flexible for future upgrades due to open system architecture.

This modernization will ensure that the US Space Force stays prepared for modern threats in space and missile defense well into the next decade.