With its global reach, Space Radar will offer unprecedented intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for warfighters and the intelligence community. Operating from the high ground of space, these satellites will provide persistent global coverage, assure access into areas denied to other assets, and enable worldwide situational awareness.

Space Radar will support three key missions areas: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for imagery, Surface Moving Target Indication (SMTI) for detecting and tracking moving objects on land or water, and High Resolution Terrain Information (HRTI). Highly responsive dynamic tasking capabilities and real-time support will maximize system utility for diverse users. Working in concert with other space, air, and ground assets, it will enable an integrated ISR system-of-systems.

Space Radar will serve a broad range of constituencies in a wide variety of missions. For example, the system could be used to search large denied areas for high-interest targets (e.g., mobile missile launchers), to detect traffic patterns indicative of military campaigns or the movement of terrorist groups, or to cue other ISR assets.

A Northrop Grumman-led team is now developing system concepts and architectures as part of the first phase of this program. This effort will lead to the definition of an affordable, sustainable Space Radar capability that will define the future of ISR.