Lockheed taps GenDyn unit for Space Fence ground equipment structures

Ground structures for housing the U.S. Space Fence program are to be designed and built by a General Dynamics business unit under contract from Lockheed Martin.

The structures, as well as integration of mechanical systems for the project, will start next year on Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

"Just like the precision radio-telescope antennas, General Dynamics C4 Systems SATCOM Technologies' expertise in building exceptionally large, exquisitely engineered structures will contribute to keeping the satellites we depend on for communications, weather forecasting and other services from colliding with space debris," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics C4 Systems.

Space Fence is a new ground-based radar system for detecting and tracking the more than 100,000 objects currently in space to help avoid collisions. Lockheed is building the radar system for the U.S. Air Force.

General Dynamics C4 Systems SATCOM Technologies is a supplier of base station and Earth station communications products and services, such as satellite antennas and antenna systems and cyber-secure wireless communication products, and also engages in the design and building of advanced optical telescope mirror structures and radio telescope antennas.

Space Debris: Space Fence to be extended

The Raytheon designed Air Force Space Surveillance System, also  known as Space Fence.

The incremental reviews included overall system design and architecture, radar hardware and software configuration items, allocated baseline, logistics, facilities, test, modeling and simulation along with the radar prototype demonstration.

Following the reviews, the contractors worked on risk reduction activities and design maturation.

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center here recently put out a request for proposal to move the Space Fence program forward.

Space Fence will be a system of up to two land-based radars, the first site located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, to track objects entering Earth's orbit.

According to program officials, it will form the foundation of improved space situational awareness by expanding the ability to detect, track, identify and characterize orbiting objects such as commercial and military satellites, smaller objects, maneuvering satellites, break-up events and lower inclination objects.

"Space situational awareness is a continual concern and challenge for U.S. and ally nations," said Ken Francois, Space Fence program manager. 

"The Space Fence program will increase the capability to provide predictability in reducing the chance of a collision or attack."

During a Defense Acquisition Board held in August, some changes were made to the program's acquisition strategy.

"The most significant change is that we are moving to an incremental approach. Increment 1 includes the Space Operations Center and Site 1 facilities construction and radar build," said Francois.

"Increment 2 includes Site 2 and system integration. This approach maximizes our efficient use of resources and will allow us to reduce costs to the Defense Department and the Air Force, ultimately saving money for the taxpayer."