Upgraded Early Warning Radar in Greenland Completes Construction Phase
Raytheon Company has completed the construction phase of the Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) at Thule Air Base, Greenland, signifying the facility’s readiness to begin hardware installation and integration. The Missile Defense Agency awarded Raytheon IDS the UEWR Thule contract in April 2006.
As the prime contractor, Raytheon will integrate new electronics, computer hardware and mission software to upgrade the existing two-faced, phased-array antenna facility at the remote site. Raytheon will also support integrated tests of the Thule UEWR, performing both missile defense and legacy missions.
The UEWR is a Ultra High Frequency phased-array radars. The UEWRs add missile defense capabilities to the PAVE PAWS and Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radars, while continuing their missile warning and space surveillance missions, which are performed by U.S. Air Force Space Command. The radar is a key sensor for the Missile Defense Agency’s Ballistic Missile Defense System, providing target detection and tracking to protect the U.S. and other nations from ballistic missile attacks.