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| Raytheon completes customer demonstration of 3DELRR prototype - Airforce Technology |
CORRECTION: The Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) program contract (FA8730-15-C-0004) awarded to Raytheon Co. on Oct. 6, 2014 incorrectly stated the expected completion date. The actual expected completion date is Oct. 6, 2018.
| AN/TPS-75, to be replaced with 3DELRR |
AIR FORCE
Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Sudbury, Massachusetts, has
been awarded a $19,502,764 fixed-price-incentive-firm contract for the initial engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) program.
The 3DELRR program will replace the aging TPS-75 radar system and will be the principal U.S. Air Force long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting aerial targets for the Joint Force Air Component Commander through the Theater Air Control System. This base contract includes the purchase of three radar systems.
The total contract, including all options, is currently estimated at $71,821,520 and includes the procurement of an additional three radar systems, for a total of six radar systems and product support. Work will be performed at Sudbury, Massachusetts, and Andover, Massachusetts, and the current contract award is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2018. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition, with three offers received. Fiscal year 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Theater Battle Control Division, Hanscom Air Force Base,
Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-15-C-0004).
Oct 6/14: Raytheon wins. Raytheon is on quite the radar streak lately, adding the USAF’s 3DELRR to its naval AMDR win. Raytheon IDS in Sudbury, MA receives a $19.5 million fixed-price-incentive-firm contract for 3DELRR’s initial EMD (engineering, manufacturing and development) phase. This base contract includes the purchase of 3 radar systems, and $11 million in FY 2014 USAF RDT&E budgets are committed immediately. Options could bring the total initial EMD contract to $71.8 million for 6 radars, plus product support. Production orders can follow after that, but it’s also worth noting that 3DELRR is one of the first programs under the DoD’s Better Buying Power initiative to be designed for exportability.
Raytheon’s 3DELRR solution is a C-band radar that builds on their investments in gallium nitride (GaN) electronics, which offer better performance than conventional GaAs circuits at similar power levels. While radars like UHF/VHF are emphasized for detection of stealthy targets within the atmosphere, Raytheon says that they picked the C-band for “increased flexibility because that portion of the spectrum is relatively uncongested.” It should work fine against ballistic missiles, and the ability to avoid spectrum frequency conflicts with potential export customers may also become a selling point
USAF Awards Next-Gen Radar Contract to Raytheon | Defense News | defensenews.com
The Massachusetts-based company will produce the service’s Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) system. It beat out competitors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman for the award.
The overall 3DELRR program calls for 35 systems to replace the service’s aged TPS-75 radar system, currently the primary long-range, ground-based sensor used by the Air Force to detected, identify and track aerial targets. While that radar is still effective in some areas, it lacks the capacity to track more modern threats.
“The new 3DELRR radar will be capable of detecting certain current and emerging threats that the TPS-75 is incapable of seeing,” Kevin Ray, pre-EMD phase chief engineer, was quoted in a service press release. “In addition, the radar’s improved system reliability will drive down operating and support costs and enhance the operational availability for the warfighter.”
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