Raytheon wins $30 million contract for space fence system design

Raytheon Company was awarded one of three $30 million contracts for Phase A system design and prototype of the Space Fence system. Space Fence will provide the U.S. Air Force enhanced space surveillance capability to detect and report space objects. "Space Fence is the future of space situational awareness," said Pete Franklin, vice president for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' National & Theater Security Programs. "This sensor will have the capability to detect and track very small objects in low Earth orbit". The Space Fence program is a multi-phase acquisition leading to the delivery of up to three globally positioned S-band radars capable of interoperation with the Space Surveillance Network. The system will ensure there is no gap in capability as the current systems in the network reach the end of their life spans. Delivery of the first radar system is expected in 2015. Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.