Photo: ASR-9 air traffic control radar. Source: Wikipedia
Raytheon and Lockheed Martin are teaming to pursue the Spectrum Efficient National Surveillance Radar (SENSR) contract, intended to consolidate and modernize the surveillance and air traffic control (ATC) radar systems in the U.S.
In a press release announcing the teaming agreement, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin said the companies have more than a century of civilian and military radar expertise in more than 60 countries, and the companies’ combined ATC and surveillance radars support more than 60 percent of the world's airspace. Both companies have been involved in the development of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars, which will likely serve as the system architecture for SENSR.
SENSR Background
SENSR will replace the aging surveillance and ATC radars with fewer, more advanced multi-mission systems. A byproduct of the upgrade will be freeing spectrum for commercial use, particularly 5G.
To best achieve these objectives, the government’s SENSR team comprises multiple agencies: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) serving as an advisor.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has provided approximately $71.5 million to the SENSR team for the first phase of the program, which involves research, engineering studies, economic analysis and planning. Among the tasks, the SENSR team is assessing the feasibility of reallocating at least 30 MHz between 1300 and 1350 MHz for auction. A feasibility study will identify potential surveillance solutions and evaluate the capability to reallocate the spectrum by 2024.
FAA fact sheet on SENSR.Company Comments
”As a nation, we need a modern, efficient radar infrastructure. It would enhance our national security and air safety, and support a healthy, growing economy well into the future." — Paul Lemmo, vice president and general manager, Integrated Warfare Systems & Sensors, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems
”There's an increasing demand for radio spectrum that's driving the rapid expansion of wireless internet services across America. SENSR will revolutionize our airspace radar infrastructure for reliable, more secure, enhanced situational awareness and communication." — Ralph Acaba, president of Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems