Missile Defense Radar on the Move Again

The U.S. floating X-band missile defense radar is again on its way to its new home in Alaska, the Associated Press reported Friday (see GSN, Nov. 16, 2006).

The radar was forced to turn back to Hawaii twice last year while being shipped to its final port in Adak.

It could be weeks before the radar arrives, according to Missile Defense Agency spokesman Rick Lehner.  It will not be able to dock until mooring work is completed on the island.

When operational, the sea-based radar should be able to detect objects as small as a pingpong ball at a distance of 3,000 miles.

The radar is expected to participate in three missile launch drills in coming months, AP reported.  The first will involve a test missile scheduled to be launched in March from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. 

“The SBX will be out in the Pacific somewhere to track that launch,” Lehner said.

The radar is also scheduled to track missiles during an intercept test scheduled for April or May, Lehner said.  The X-band would also be the primary source radar for a fall 2007 test (Associated Press/North County Times, Jan. 12).

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