The Air Force has modified the fielding schedule for the Space Fence space-surveillance system, slipping the projected date for initial operations by two years to 2017, according to a draft statement of work issued last week. The Space Fence’s full operational capability milestone also has changed from 2020 to a to-be-determined date, states the document, released by the Electronic Systems Center at Hanscom AFB, Mass. Air Force officials envision the Space Fence as a dual-site radar system operating in the S-band frequency range to detect orbiting space objects. It will offer significantly improved performance over the 1960s-era Air Force Space Surveillance System VHF Fence that it will replace. Current plans call for two Space Fence sites: Australia and Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Lockheed Martin and Raytheon currently are under contract to mature their respective fence concepts. (Draft SOW full document.)
Commercial and Military Space Must Advance Together
July 31, 2025
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.orgIn the race to out-innovate adversaries, the U.S. Space Force has one...