Long Range Discrimination Radar

{{Short description|US radar system}}

{{Infobox radar

| name = AN/SPY-7

| image = 211026-D-D0500-101.jpg

| caption = The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska

| country = United States

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| type = Active electronically scanned array early-warning radar

| frequency = S band

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| other names = Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)

}}

The Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) in Alaska is part of the United States's Ground-Based Midcourse Defense anti-ballistic missile system. The main contractor is Lockheed Martin, under a US$784 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency in October 2015.[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/show-daily/smd16/2016/08/16/alaskas-long-range-discrimination-radar-track-2020/88871568/ Alaska's Long Range Discrimination Radar on Track for 2020]{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}, Jen Judson, DefenseNews.com, 16 August 2016

LRDR is a gallium nitride (GaN)-based, solid-state active electronically scanned array (AESA) early-warning radar that allows for continuous coverage, even when it is undergoing maintenance.{{Cite web|url=https://missilethreat.csis.org/defsys/lrdr/|title = Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)}} The radar consists of individual solid state radar blocks that can be combined to scale up the size of the radar. The multi-purpose GaN device used on the prototype version of the LRDR is from the Japanese electronics company Fujitsu, according to Lockheed Martin.[https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2018-01-11-Lockheed-Martin-Demonstrates-Next-Generation-Aegis-Ashore-Solution Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Next Generation Aegis Ashore Solution] Lockheed Martin, Jan 11 2018

Construction in Alaska for the LRDR was scheduled to begin in 2019, tentatively at Clear Space Force Station in central Alaska.[https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/605521 Department of Defense Identifies Planned Site of Future Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)], DoD press release NR-193-15, 22 May 2015, accessed 17 August 2016 Each AESA's dimensions are 60 feet high by 60 feet wide; the field of view is 220 degrees.C. Todd Lopez, DOD News [https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/2865134/long-range-discrimination-radar-reshapes-adversaries-calculus-for-attacks-again/ (7 Dec 2021) Long-Range Discrimination Radar Reshapes Adversaries' Calculus for Attacks Against U.S. Homeland]

In late February 2021, the Missile Defense Agency said that the radar installation was underway, with Initial Operational Capability to be achieved in 2021.[https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2021/03/02/mda-says-alaska-based-missile-defense-radar-will-be-operational-in-2021/ MDA says Alaska-based missile defense radar will be operational in 2021], Jen Judson, DefenseNews, 2021-03-03 Testing for Full Operational Capability is expected by 2023.

In mid-August 2023, the Flight Test Other-26 (FTX-26) was cancelled due to an anomaly with the live ballistic missile target. When operational, the LRDR will be tied into the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system and the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications system.[https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2023/09/01/missile-defense-agency-cancels-test-of-long-range-discrimination-radar/ Missile Defense Agency cancels test of Long-Range Discrimination Radar], Jen Judson, Defense News, 2023-09-02