The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman a $200 million contract to develop the second of the three Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability sites.
The project for the second site involves site design, integration and testing in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in collaboration with the U.K. government. The work is expected to be completed by Feb. 4, 2030.
Earlier this month, the U.K. Ministry of Defence announced plans to redevelop the Cawdor Barracks in southwest Wales to host the second radar capability for the DARC initiative. The ministry said an environmental assessment and consultation with the local community are underway to gain authorization for the proposed development.
This latest award builds on a $341 million contract Northrop secured in 2022 to develop the first DARC site in Exmouth, Australia, which is slated for completion in 2026. The U.S. Space Force has yet to provide information regarding the location of the third radar site in the United States, but all three systems are poised to be operational by 2030.
DARC is an AUKUS initiative designed to provide round-the-clock all-weather radar coverage to improve detection, tracking and identification of objects in deep space.
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