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{{Short description|American radar network}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
[[File:PAVE PAWS&BMEWS.svg|thumb|300px|Coverage of the original [[PAVE PAWS]] and [[BMEWS]] systems, later upgraded to SSPARS and eventually to UEWR]]
[[File:Radar RAF Fylingdales.jpg|thumb|BMEWS solid-state phased-array radar at [[RAF Fylingdales]]]]
The '''Solid State Phased Array Radar System'''{{r|Chapman}} ('''SSPARS'''), [[colloquialism|colloquially]] '''Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radar network''' ('''BMEWS radar network'''),<ref>{{Cite report |editor1=Carter, Austin |editor2=Mattorano, Gino |year=2004 |title=Space Command Almanac 2004-2005 |url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-060316-011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060711202348/http://www.afspc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-060316-011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2006 |publisher=HQ AFSPACECOMM Public Affairs }}</ref> is a [[United States Space Force]] radar, computer, and communications system for missile warning and space surveillance. There are SSPARS systems at five sites: [[Beale Air Force Base]], CA, [[Cape Cod Space Force Station]], MA, [[Clear Space Force Station]], AK, [[RAF Fylingdales]], UK, and [[Pituffik Space Base]], Greenland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Operations, Maintenance and Support for the Solid State Phased Array Radar System (SSPARS) at 5 Geographically Separated Units WorldWide |url=https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=caf2eb4dbcca881980fb2e403a8e3194&_cview=0 |number=FA2517-04-R-0016 |publisher=FedBizOpps.gov |access-date=2014-03-13}}</ref> The system completed replacement of the [[Ballistic Missile Early Warning System|RCA 474L Ballistic Missile Early Warning System]] when the last SSPAR
==Classification of radar systems==
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==History==
The Solid State Phased Array Radar System is a phased array radar with 2500 "solid state transmitter" modules.<ref>{{Cite web| title=Radar Handbook | first=Merrill I. | last=Skolnik | url=http://www.geo.uzh.ch/microsite/rsl-documents/research/SARlab/GMTILiterature/PDF/Skolnik90.pdf
It began replacing PAVE PAWS when the first AN/FPS-115 face was taken off-line for the radar upgrade. New [[PAVE PAWS#Replacement|AN/FPS-123]] Early Warning Radars became operational
In 2001 SSPARS equipment included:
* '''Raytheon AN/FPS-123 PAVE PAWS Radar'''<ref>{{Cite report |title=Communications-Electronics (C-E) Managers Handbook |url=http://nato.radioscanner.ru/files/article63/communications_elect.pdf |access-date=2014-03-13 |quote=AN/FPS-49 has a traditional azimuth bearing assembly (race and steel balls) while the AN/FPS-92 has a hydrostatic bearing (antenna floats on a high pressure film of hydraulic fluid). AN/FPQ-16 Radar Set, Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System - PARCS: PARCS is a single faced phased array radar system consisting of AN/FPQ-16 radar and an AN/FSQ-100 computer system located at Cavalier AFS, ND. The primary mission of the PARCS is to provide the [[Cheyenne Mountain Complex|CMC]] with TW/AA data on all SLBMs penetrating the coverage area. ... FORCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (FMS) PROVIDES THE CONUS NORAD REGION COMMANDER WITH TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION}}</ref> at [[Beale Air Force Base|Beale]] (FPS-115 [[Initial operating capability|IOC]]
* '''Raytheon [[PAVE PAWS#Replacement|AN/FPS-120]] Solid State Phased Array Radar''' at [[Thule Air Station|Thule]] ("2QFY87")<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/spp/military/program/nssrm/initiatives/clearu.htm|title=Clear Upgrade (U)|access-date=2015-04-04|archive-date=2008-10-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011183130/https://fas.org/spp/military/program/nssrm/initiatives/clearu.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> with greater radar capabilities than the FPS-115 PAVE PAWS radars
* '''Raytheon [[PAVE PAWS#Replacement|AN/FPS-126]] Solid State Phased Array Radar''' at [[RAF Fylingdales|Fylingdales]] with three faces for 360 degree coverage (constructed August 1989-October 1992)<ref name=UK>{{Cite book |last=Stocker |first=Jeremy |editor=Gray, Colin S. |editor2=Murray, Williamson |year=2004 |isbn=0-203-30963-4 |publisher=Frank Cass |title=Britain and Ballistic Missile Defence 1942-2002 |url=http://sobchak.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/britain-and-ballistic-missile-1942-2002.pdf |issn=1473-6403 |access-date=2014-03-09 |quote=in March 1963 an Air Ministry review of ABM systems said of MIDAS that 'performance to date has been disappointing'.<sup>78</sup> … A teletype circuit was established between NORAD and the ADOC in Britain to pass information derived from Site 1 at Thule.<sup>95</sup> This was supplemented by a voice circuit with agreed formatted messages, and both were operational by October 1960. … AN/FPS-49 Range resolution 240 nm Maximum range 2,650 nm Minimum target at 1,650 m 2.8 m<sup>2</sup> Impact accuracy North America 135 nm}}</ref>
*'''Raytheon AN/FPS-120<ref name=GlobalSecurityClear>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/clear.htm|title=Clear AFS|first=John|last=Pike}}</ref> Solid State Phased Array Radar''' using an older antenna from the 1987<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/parsehtml.php?html=EldoradoAFSPAVEPAWSTXdedication87.html&type=doc_html|title=Eldorado AFS Dedication - 1987}}</ref> [[Eldorado Air Force Station|PAVE PAWS EWR in Texas]] (groundbreaking
After the Fylingdales BMEWS radars had been replaced by Raytheon/[[Cossor AeroSpace]] and [[Control Data Corporation]] (embedded CDC-Cyber computer) at a cost of US $100M,{{Citation needed|reason=This claim was in the BMEWS article.date=March 2014|date=March 2014}} in February 1995 the "missile warning center at [[Cheyenne Mountain Air Station|Cheyenne Mountain AS]] [was] undergoing a $450 million upgrade program".<ref name=Orban1995>{{cite news|last=Orban|first=SSgt. Brian|date=February 1995|title=The trip wire|newspaper=Guardian|publisher=Air Force Space Command|page=6|quote=North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Space Command command center. ... For more than 30 years, the crews operating the missile warning center inside Cheyenne Mountain have maintained an early warning trip line [for] incoming ballistic missiles}}</ref> The entire SSPARS became operational on 31 January
[[RAF Fylingdales|The UK]] and [[Clear Air Force Station|Alaska]] BMEWS stations became SSPARS radar stations when their respective Raytheon AN/FPS-126 radar<ref name=Radomes>{{Cite web |title=AN/FPS-115, AN/FPS-120, AN/FPS-123, AN/FPS-126 |url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/equip/fps-115.html |publisher=Radomes.org |access-date=2014-06-11}}</ref> and 2001 Raytheon AN/FPS-120 became operational.<ref name=CRU>{{cite web|url=http://radomes.org/museum/documents/BMEWSSite2ClearAKnewradar032001.html|title=Raytheon completes upgrades to BMEWS radar in Alaska - 16 Mar 2001|access-date=3 May 2015|archive-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229012338/http://radomes.org/museum/documents/BMEWSSite2ClearAKnewradar032001.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, 100 owners/trustees of amateur radio repeaters near AN/FPS-123 radars were notified to lower their power output to mitigate interference,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.w5yi.org/ama_news_article.php?id=191|title=W5YI |publisher=w5yi.org}}</ref> and AN/FPS-123s were part of the [[Air Force Space Surveillance System]] by 2009.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Chatters |first1=Maj Edward P IV |last2=Crothers |first2=Maj Brian J. |year=2009 |title=AU-18 Space Primer |url=http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/AU-18.pdf |chapter=Chapter 19: Space Surveillance Network |chapter-url=http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/space/au-18-2009/au-18_chap19.pdf |publisher=Air University |page=252 |access-date=2014-06-06 |quote=Perimeter Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased-Array Weapons System (PAVE PAWS) |archive-date=2013-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217144244/http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/AU-18.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[BAE Systems]] began a 2007 contract for SSPARS maintenance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/39693bae-systems-to-continue-maintaining-sspars-radar-network-for-us-air|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140319131750/http://www.spacenews.com/article/military-space/39693bae-systems-to-continue-maintaining-sspars-radar-network-for-us-air|archive-date=March 19, 2014|title=BAE Systems To Continue Maintaining SSPARS Radar Network for U.S. Air Force - SpaceNews.com|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> The SSPARS radar electronics was subsequently upgraded, e.g., the Beale radar<ref name="MDA"/> and the Fylingdales FPS-126 each became an [[AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar]] (UEWR)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mostlymissiledefense.com/2013/08/07/u-s-to-sell-large-early-warning-radar-to-qatar-august-7-2013/|title=U.S. to Sell Large Early Warning Radar to Qatar (August 7, 2013) (corrected February 10, 2014)|date=7 August 2013}}</ref> by Raytheon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fylingdales |url=http://www.raytheon.co.uk/ourcompany/facilities/fylingdales/index.html |publisher=Raytheon.co.uk |access-date=2014-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311182300/http://www.raytheon.co.uk/ourcompany/facilities/fylingdales/index.html |archive-date=2014-03-11 }}</ref> The Beale AN/FPS-123 was upgraded to a Raytheon '''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",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/topstories/Northrop-Grumman-Sets-TR-Module-Standard_73016.html#.U5cyXUnnb4Y|title=Avionics Magazine :: Northrop Grumman Sets T/R Module Standard}}</ref> "FEX/TTG", "BSG", "Signal Processor", and other changes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/logistics_material_readiness/contracts/HQ0006-01-C-0001.pdf|title=ALERT|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130713032135/http://www.dod.mil/pubs/foi/logistics_material_readiness/contracts/HQ0006-01-C-0001.pdf|archive-date=2013-07-13}}</ref> After additional UEWR installations for GMD at Thule Site J and the UK (contracted 2003),<ref name="radomes.org">{{Cite web| title=History of Cape Cod Air Force Station | url=http://www.radomes.org/museum/documents/CCAFS%20Tri-fold%20Brochure_10Jan08.pdf
The AN/FPS-132 Block-5 was ordered by the [[Qatar Emiri Air Force]], and is in construction.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Qatar - AN/FPS-132 Block 5 Early Warning Radar {{!}} Defense Security Cooperation Agency |url=https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/qatar-anfps-132-block-5-early-warning-radar |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=www.dsca.mil}}</ref>
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|image1=[https://www.flickr.com/photos/usairforce/7414560082/ AN/FPS-132 UEWR]
}}
* [[Solid-state
** Each radar installation has multiple faces, where each face provides a 120-degree coverage.<ref name="MDA"/>
* Operating frequency: [[Ultra high frequency]] (UHF)<ref name="MDA"/>
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{{Reflist}}
==See
{{Portal|Electronics}}
*[[List of radars]]
*[[List of military electronics of the United States]]
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