AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar

The AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) is a series of phased array radar systems used for long-range early warning and space surveillance, operating as part of the United State Missile Defence and Space Surveillance Network.

History

Coverage of the original PAVE PAWS and BMEWS systems, upgraded to UEWR

The Solid State Phased Array Radar System began replacing PAVE PAWS when the first AN/FPS-115 face was taken off-line for the radar upgrade. New AN/FPS-123 Early Warning Radars became operational in (Beale) and (Cape Cod) in each base's existing PAVE PAWS "Scanner Building".[1] The UK and Alaska BMEWS stations became SSPARS radar stations when their respective AN/FPS-126 radar [2] and 2001 AN/FPS-120 became operational.[3] In 2007, 100 owners/trustees of amateur radio repeaters near AN/FPS-123 radars were notified to lower their power output to mitigate interference,[4] and AN/FPS-123s were part of the Air Force Space Surveillance System by 2009.[5] The Beale AN/FPS-123 was upgraded to a Boeing AN/FPS-132 (UEWR) with capabilities to operate in the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) ABM system—the Beale UEWR included "Avionics", "T/R modules", "FEX/TTG", "BSG", "Signal Processor", and other changes.[6] After additional UEWR installations for GMD at Thule Site J and the UK (contracted 2003[7]), a 2012 ESD/XRX Request for Information for replacement, and remote operation, of the remaining "PAVE PAWS/BMEWS/PARCS systems" at Cape Cod, Alaska, and North Dakota was issued.[8] The Alaska AN/FPS-132 was contracted in fall 2012[9] and the Cape Cod installation in 2013.[10]

System overview

Locations

Active:

Planned:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Photographs [and] Written Historical and Descriptive Data: Cape Cod Air Station Technical Facility/Scanner Building and Power Plant (Report). Retrieved 2014-06-10. Technical Facility/Scanner Building (HAER No. MA-151-A), which houses the AN/FPS-1152 radar and related equipment… PAVE PAWS Site 1 … AN/FSS-7…designed by Avco Electronics Division… The first two PAVE PAWS sites in Massachusetts and California represented the first two-faced phased array radars deployed by the U.S.
  2. ↑ "AN/FPS-115, AN/FPS-120, AN/FPS-123, AN/FPS-126". Radomes.org. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
  3. ↑ http://radomes.org/museum/documents/BMEWSSite2ClearAKnewradar032001.html "...relocation of existing electronic equipment from a decommissioned PAVE PAWS site in Eldorado, Texas, to the newly constructed facility at Clear. By relocating the two 102-foot diameter transmitter/receiver arrays, electronic cabinets and computers"
  4. ↑ http://www.w5yi.org/ama_news_article.php?id=191
  5. ↑ Chatters, Maj Edward P, IV; Crothers, Maj Brian J. (2009). "Chapter 19: Space Surveillance Network". AU-18 Space Primer. Air University. p. 252. Retrieved 2014-06-06. Perimeter Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased-Array Weapons System (PAVE PAWS)
  6. ↑ http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/logistics_material_readiness/contracts/HQ0006-01-C-0001.pdf
  7. ↑ http://www.radomes.org/museum/documents/CCAFS%20Tri-fold%20Brochure_10Jan08.pdf
  8. ↑ PAVE PAWS, BMEWS, and PARCS Radar Systems (Solicitation) (01262012), FedBizOpps.gov, January 23, 2012, retrieved 2014-06-11, The PAVE PAWS and BMEWS Beam Steering Unit (BSU), Receiver Exciter (REX), Receiver Beam Former (RBF), Array Group Driver (AGD), Radio Frequency Monitor (RFM), Frequency Time Standard (FTS), and the Corporate Feed (CFD) were built for these five radars in the late 1970's and were upgraded in the 1980's. … The PARCS Signal Processing Group (SPG) has received only "band-aid" fixes since the site's Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 1975
  9. ↑ http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/BMEWS-Radar-Upgrades-Clear-AFS-Goes-from-Warning-to-BMD-Targeting-07532/
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/uewr1.pdf

External links