Article Posted on : - Nov 03, 2010

TEWKSBURY, MASSSCHUSETTES (BNS): Raytheon has carried out the system design review (SDR) for the Space Fence program which will provide the US Air Force enhanced space surveillance capability to track and detect space objects.

The design review included the prototyping of critical system elements to demonstrate increased technical and manufacturing readiness levels, Raytheon said.

"As our nation's defense becomes increasingly more dependent on the space domain, a system like Space Fence will be a critical component in the Space Surveillance Network, tracking tens of thousands of objects daily," said David Gulla, vice president, National & Theater Security Programs for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS).

Scott Spence, program director, Space Fence program said, "We're confident we can support the Air Force's need for an initial operating capability in 2015 and look forward to the next phase of the program."

The Space Fence program is a multiphase acquisition leading to the delivery of up to three globally positioned S-band radars capable of interoperation with the Space Surveillance Network.

The system will ensure there is no gap in capability as the current system in the network reaches the end of their life spans.