The Air Force last month awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin ($35.9 million), Northrop Grumman ($34.7 million), and Raytheon ($35.2 million) for the continued development of the Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Rader system. Over the next 15 months, the three companies will mature their respective designs through a preliminary design review and produce functioning prototypes of their offerings, according to an Aug. 29 release from 3DELRR program officials at Hanscom AFB, Mass. “We’ll conclude our technology development phase with three unique, matured designs, driving down technical risk and overall system cost to fulfill the requirements,” said Lt. Col. Brian McDonald, 3DELRR program manager. Envisioned to replace the AN/TPS-75 radar, the 3DELRR will be the Air Force’s principal long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying, tracking, and reporting aircraft and missiles in theaters of operation. Earlier this year, the Air Force modified the program’s acquisition strategy, opting to award up to three contracts to complete technology development, as opposed to just one contractor as had been the earlier plan. Lockheed Martin and Sensis were under contract during the program’s previous phase. Saab acquired Sensis in mid 2011. Now called Saab Sensis, the company is a subcontractor to both Northrop Grumman and Raytheon on 3DELRR, representatives from both latter companies confirmed to the Daily Report. (Hanscom report by Patty Welsh) (See also Defense Department’s list of major contracts for Aug. 20.)
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
