Insider Brief
- Northrop Grumman has secured the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Site 2 contract from the U.S. Space Force.
- This contract adds a second radar site in the United Kingdom, enhancing DARC’s role as one of the leading systems for tracking objects in deep space. This follows the earlier award of DARC Site 1.
- Pablo Pezzimenti, vice president of integrated national systems at Northrop Grumman, noted that the DARC Site 2 award enhances the company’s support for the U.S. Space Force’s space domain awareness capabilities.
Northrop Grumman announced it has secured the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Site 2 contract from the U.S. Space Force. This contract adds a second radar site in the United Kingdom, enhancing DARC’s role as one of the leading systems for tracking objects in deep space. This follows the earlier award of DARC Site 1.
DARC represents a next-generation ground system designed to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above the equator. The system operates around the clock, in all weather conditions, providing comprehensive global coverage. This capability is vital for protecting critical satellites belonging to the U.S. and its allies.
DARC will operate in collaboration with partners from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, extending beyond what any single nation could achieve alone. Traditional space domain awareness systems are limited by their dependence on clear skies and nighttime conditions. DARC, however, offers continuous monitoring, making it more difficult for adversaries to catch the system off guard.
Pablo Pezzimenti, vice president of integrated national systems at Northrop Grumman, noted that the DARC Site 2 award enhances the company’s support for the U.S. Space Force’s space domain awareness capabilities. He emphasized the importance of achieving global coverage of deep space for the security of the U.S. and its allies.
Image credit: Northrup Grumman
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