The Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) system provides advanced ballistic missile detection, tracking, and space surveillance capabilities for the United States Space Force. The UEWR network consists of powerful phased-array radar systems strategically positioned in the United States and abroad. These radars are capable of detecting and tracking intercontinental ballistic
missiles (ICBMs), sea-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and conducting domain awareness operations, including satellite tracking. The system operates 24/7 to provide critical early warning of potential missile threats and contribute to space surveillance networks. UEWR represents a significant modernization and upgrade of the previous generation Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) and PAVE PAWS radars with enhanced detection capabilities and improved integration with missile defense systems.
The radar systems utilize advanced phased-array technology that allows for rapid electronic beam steering without the need for mechanical movement of the antenna. This enables simultaneous tracking of multiple targets while maintaining broad surveillance coverage across a 240- to 360-degree field of view. Operating in the Ultra High Band Frequency, these radars boast wide area coverage but are not able to perform midcourse discrimination. Under the Ground Based Radar Digitization project, or GBRD, the Space Force plans to install new hardware and software on the aging UEWR, upgrading everything from front-end antennas to back-end data processors, a transformational move from analog to digital operations.
Upgraded Early Warning Radar Technical Data
Contractors: Raytheon (prime); SAIC (sustainment).
Operator/Location: • 6th Space Warning Squadron, Space Delta 4, CFC, Cape Cod SFS, Mass. • 7th Space Warning Squadron, Space Delta 4, CFC, Beale AFB, Calif. • 12th Space Warning Squadron, Space Delta 4, CFC, Pituffik SB, Thule, Greenland. • 13th Space Warning Squadron, Space Delta 4, CFC, Clear AFS, Alaska. • RAF Fylingdales (operated by RAF with USSF liaison), U.K.
IOC: 2005, Beale AFB location.
Active Systems: five radar, globally distributed.