RAF Fylingdales Solid State Phased Array Radar (SSPAR) Upgrade
RAF Fylingdales, North Yorkshire, UK · 1990 (upgrade began) - 1992 (SSPAR declared operational); subsequent upgrades ongoing.
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe SSPAR upgrade significantly enhanced the capabilities of RAF Fylingdales, moving from rotating 'golf balls' to a fixed, more powerful system. - The facility provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning service and space surveillance for the UK and US governments. - The long-standing collaboration between the UK and US at Fylingdales is a key aspect of transatlantic defence cooperation.
Key engineering challenges
Replacing the older mechanical radars with a more capable solid-state phased array system. - Ensuring continuous missile warning capability for both the US and UK. - Integrating advanced signal processing and data analysis for improved threat detection and tracking. - Maintaining operational readiness and resilience in a critical defence role.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Royal Air Force (RAF) / UK Ministry of Defence; US Space Force (joint operation)
- Lead contractor
- Raytheon (for SSPAR)
- Lead designers
- Raytheon
- Project type
- upgrade
- Scale
- Three-faced phased array radar; operates in the UHF (420-450 MHz) frequency range; no moving parts.
- Disciplines
- Radar engineering; electronics engineering; software engineering; civil engineering; space surveillance
- Standards & frameworks
- NATO defence standards; US Space Force operational requirements.
Sources: Wikipedia: RAF Fylingdales (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Fylingdales) - RAF: RAF Fylingdales (https://www.raf.mod.uk/our-organisation/stations/raf-fylingdales/) - Think Defence: RAF Fylingdales (https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/docs/raf-fylingdales/) - Fylingdales Archive: Solid State Phased Array Radar Press Release (https://fylingdalesarchive.org.uk/item/solid-state-phased-array-radar-press-release/)