LRDR passes preliminary design review
Lockheed Martin has announced that its Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) has passed preliminary design review (PDR), clearing the way for detailed design to move ahead.
The LRDR is being developed by Lockheed Martin under contract with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to support a layered ballistic missile defence strategy to protect the US from ballistic missile attacks.
The PDR was awarded following the radar proving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 in a scaled demonstration of the system's critical technology elements in a relevant end-to-end environment.
TRL 7 is expected to be achieved later in 2017, after which the programme will transition to manufacturing.
The system is being developed at Lockheed Martin's facility and a new solid state radar integration site, a self-funded test facility that will be used to demonstrate TRL 7 and provide significant risk reduction for development of LRDR and future solid state radar systems.
LRDR is a high-powered S-Band radar incorporating solid-state gallium nitride (GaN) components, with the additional capability to discriminate threats at extreme distances using the inherent wideband capability of the hardware coupled with advanced software algorithms.
The radar will be a key component of the MDA's Ballistic Missile Defense System, providing acquisition, tracking and discrimination data to enable separate defence systems to lock on and engage ballistic missile threats.
More from Defence Notes
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?]()
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
![US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025]()
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
