UK site to boost DARC deep space radar capability

The U.S. Space Force has awarded its Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Site 2 contract. This is for a location in the UK as part of its role as an AUKUS partner.

DARC will track objects in the geosynchronous orbit GEO with the aim of protecting critical satellites. A global network of three advanced ground-based sensors, it will be operated in collaboration with AUKUS alliance partners: the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom.

The next generation ground system will also be supporting warfighters of the U.S. and its allies.

It is anticipated that Cawdor Barracks (formerly RAF Brawdy) in Pembrokeshire will be the location for the UK site. Proposals are currently being developed by the UK Ministry of Defence to extend the life of the Barracks as part of the UK’s DARC programme.

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is the recipient of the contract to develop the site, and the company says DARC is on a path to become one of the world’s most advanced radars for tracking objects in deep space.

“The DARC Site 2 award expands Northrop Grumman’s support for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities in an increasingly contested domain,” said Pablo Pezzimenti, vp of integrated national systems at Northrop Grumman.

“This site brings us closer to achieving global coverage of deep space, which is a critical mission for future security of the U.S. and its allies.”

The latest award follows the previous competitive award of DARC Site 1, in February 2022, which was also to Northrop Grumman.

The company had been awarded a $341 million contract by the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to develop, test and deliver a “Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability” in support of the organisation’s Space Domain Awareness mission.

DARC features

Five features of DARC radars are highlighted.

While current ground-based systems can be impacted by weather conditions, DARC is designed to provide an all-weather capability to monitor the GEO environment. It will also be capable of operating 24/7.

Thirdly, the design is also for DARC to have the furthest reach into GEO (22,000 miles) and offer the most detail of any ground-based radars. Fourthly, the system will operating as part of a trilateral partnership, which leads to the final feature of full global coverage

“With three sites you get coverage of the entire GEO belt. DARC will provide unprecedented SDA capability for an absolutely critical orbital regime which would make achieving operational surprise exceedingly difficult for our adversaries,” said Pezzimenti, previously.