| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Active electronically scanned array early-warning radar |
| Frequency | S band |
| Other Names | Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) |
The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Alaska is part of the United States's Ground-Based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system. The main contractor is Lockheed Martin, under a US$784 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency in October 2015.[1]
LRDR is a gallium nitride (GaN)-based, solid-state active electronically scanned array (AESA) early-warning radar[1] that allows for continuous coverage, even when it is undergoing maintenance.[2] The radar consists of individual solid state radar blocks that can be combined to scale up the size of the radar. The multi-purpose GaN device used on the prototype version of the LRDR is from the Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.[3]
Construction in Alaska for the LRDR was scheduled to begin in 2019,[1] tentatively at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska.[4] Each AESA's dimensions are 60 feet high by 60 feet wide; the field of view is 220 degrees.[5]
In late February 2021, the Missile Defense Agency said that the radar installation was underway, with Initial Operational Capability to be achieved in 2021.[6] Testing for Full Operational Capability is expected by 2023.[5]
In mid-August 2023, the Flight Test Other-26 (FTX-26) was cancelled due to an anomaly with the live ballistic missile target. When operational, the LRDR will be tied into the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications system.[7]