Air Defense

Long Range Discrimination Radar

Long Range Discrimination Radar is a Lockheed Martin-built, solid-state GaN S-band AESA radar at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska. It provides search, track, discrimination, and hit-assessment data for U.S. homeland missile defense, and the Space Force accepted it for operational use in 2025 after initial fielding in 2021.

Specifications

Radar type
Multi-mission, multi-face active electronically scanned array radar
Frequency band
S-band
Technology
Solid-state gallium nitride (GaN) architecture
Mission
Search, track, discrimination, and hit assessment for homeland missile defense
Integration
Provides precision track, discrimination, and hit-assessment data to the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Fire Control System
Operating site
Clear Space Force Station, Alaska

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service
Initial fielding in 2021; operational acceptance by U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command in 2025.
Used by
U.S. Space Force, Missile Defense Agency
Wars
Various Conflicts

Conflict Usage

Side
🏳️Unspecified

Exact model: Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR), an AN/SPY-7-derived GaN AESA radar at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska. It is a missile-defense sensor; I found no confirmed conflict engagement use.

Timeline

Long Range Discrimination Radar Key Events

  1. Planned Alaska site announced

    The Department of Defense announced a planned LRDR deployment in Alaska and said the radar was expected to begin defensive operations in 2020.

    Sources: Department of Defense Identifies Planned Site of Future Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR)

  2. Initial fielding ceremony in Alaska

    The Missile Defense Agency held the initial fielding ceremony for LRDR at Clear Space Force Station, marking the radar's transition into fielding and test operations.

    Sources: Initial Fielding of Long-Range Discrimination Radar in Alaska

  3. Transitioned to the Missile Defense Agency

    Lockheed Martin said LRDR completed DD250 final acceptance and was handed over to the Missile Defense Agency ahead of the operational-capability decision process.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Successfully Transitions Long-Range Discrimination Radar to the Missile Defense Agency

  4. Operational acceptance

    U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command took operational acceptance of LRDR after MDA completed the operational trial period.

    Sources: Combat Forces Command Long Range Discrimination Radar (LRDR) operational acceptance

Long Range Discrimination Radar Images

Related Weapon Systems

Sources