Floatin’ Smokey: The USA’s SBX Radar
Dec 15, 2011 11:33 EST
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6-month extension for Boeing. (Dec 13/11)
As rogue state proliferation by the likes of North Korea made missile defense a growing priority for nations including the USA, Japan, and Israel, the USA began to look at the linchpin of any defense: powerful radars that could both track ballistic missiles, and guide interceptors. The USA has its BMEWS tracking system, but that would not serve. America’s Safeguard ABM system was dismantled long ago – though Russia still maintains its counterpart System A-135 network around Moscow. Something new would be needed.
Enter Raytheon’s new XBR radar, based on an SBX-1 platform that looks a lot like a mobile oil drilling rig. Basing the radar at sea offers numerous advantages. One is the obvious ability to move the radar as threats materialize, allowing much greater coverage with fewer radars. Another is the ability to protect allies, without having to invest in expensive systems whose regional capabilities and value to the USA could be put at risk by the decisions of a single foreign government. In exchange for this freedom from political interference, of course, the designers must contend with nature’s.
Boeing SBX system is linked to its land-based GMD (Ground-based Mid-course Defense) missile system but can also operate with other naval and land elements…
The XBR Radar and SBX Platform
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Raytheon’s giant XBR radar is a distant relative of the X-band radars used by police to detect speeding drivers, but designed to detect and illuminate incoming missiles instead. It floats on a system resembling an oil drilling platform, and will usually provide long-range mid-course guidance for ballistic missile defense systems. It can also provide earlier guidance if positioned correctly. The Sea-Based X-Band radar (SBX) that uses it was originally planned as a land-based system, but a sea-based system became possible when the George W. Bush administration withdrew from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
The XBR radar has been fitted to a huge mobile oil platform built by a Russian firm. It would normally steam out to offshore waters and be used as a base to drill oil and gas wells. Instead, SBX will steam at a top speed of about 7 mph and add a mobile element to the USA’s missile defense network.
The $815 million, mechanically-slewed, X-band phased array assembly is 280 feet (85 meters) tall, and weighs 2,400 tons. The radome alone weighs 18,000 pounds, stands over 103 feet high, and is 120 feet in diameter. Made entirely of a high-tech synthetic fabric, the radome is supported by air pressure alone, and is designed to withstand 130+ mph winds and a “100-year storm” at sea. This makes it far more durable than any air-supported radome of remotely comparable size, and its design and fabrication required development of several new processes, materials, and technologies.
New technologies have been developed within the radar as well. XBR leverages lessons learned on earlier radar programs, including the Ground-Based Radar – Prototype (GBR-P), located at Kwajalein in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the land-based AN/TPY-2 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) radar. Raytheon continued to work on design and manufacturing enhancements, including 3 iterations of cost and reliability improvements to Raytheon’s Gallium Arsenide Transmit/Receive (T/R) module, which lies at the heart of its X-Band radar family. That’s good, because XBR uses over 45,000 T/R modules, and has a Physical Aperture of 384 m2 and Active Aperture of 248 m2. It provides 2-90 degree elevation coverage (not exactly vertical, can be tipped upward), and about 270 degrees of azimuth coverage (beam width profile). It scan a horizon of about 2,500 miles (4,000 km) at a sensitivity so great it could detect the movement of a baseball at the opposite end of the United States.
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Information from SBX would go to the missile system nerve center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which could then deploy defensive missiles from sites in Alaska and California. The radar’s position in the northern Pacific would allow it to keep an eye on North Korea, which is viewed as the greatest missile threat to the United States at present. Although homeported midway along the Aleutian Islands chain in Adak, Alaska, it will be capable of moving throughout the Pacific Ocean to support both missile defense advanced testing and defensive operations.
Initially, the SDX will provide the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System with an advanced training and decoy discrimination capability that will help interceptor missiles located in Alaska and California provide a defense against a limited long-range missile attack.
Boeing Co. is GMD’s prime contractor, including the GMD missiles and overall integration of SBX. Raytheon is the primary subcontractor, with responsibility for the XBR radar. Tests of GMD intercept missiles thus far have been hit-or-miss, with close to half of the interceptors either not getting off the ground or missing the target. Naval launches of Raytheon’s SM-3 missile have had far more success, however, and the SBX has been used in a number of these launches as a collaborating element. Meanwhile, system development of the land-based GMD system continues.
Contracts & Events
Unless otherwise noted, the US Missile Defense Agency (US MDA) in Huntsville, AL manages these contracts.
Dec 13/11: Boeing in Huntsville, AL receives a $15.1 million sole-source cost-plus-fixed-fee contract modification, exercising an option for continued SBX operation and sustainment services from Jan 1/12 through June 30/12.
Work will be performed in Huntsville, AL. FY 2012 research, development, test, and evaluation funds will be used (HQ0147-09-C-0007).
Nov 3/11: Interocean American Shipping Corp. in Moorestown, NJ receives a $28.2 million firm-fixed-price contract to crew and maintain the Sea-Based X-Band Radar platform, SBX-1. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12, but 4 more 1-year option periods could turn it into a 5-year, $165.2 million deal.
This contract was competitively procured via solicitations posted to Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online, and FBO.gov websites, with 5 offers received out of 100 firms with access. US Military Sealift Command in Washington, DC manages the contract (N00033-12-C-2500).
Nov 1/11: The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awards Raytheon IDS of Woburn, MA a maximum $307.6 million indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Under this new contract, Raytheon will maintain software required to operate “the X-band family of radars,” and perform and Ballistic Missile Defense System test planning, execution and analysis.
Discussions with Raytheon personnel confirmed that the funding applies to SBX’s XBR radar, as well as Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 radars (THAAD, European missile defense, deployed in Israel & Japan), and a “Ground Based Radar Prototype” that they’re working on as a technology demonstrator.
Work will be performed in Woburn, MA from Nov 1/11 through Oct 31/13, and the MDA’s FY 2012 research, development, test and evaluation funds will be used to fund initial orders. The MDA at Redstone Arsenal, AL manages the contract (HQ0147-12-D-0005).
Sept 19/11: Edison Chouest subsidiary Alpha Marine Services, LLC in Galliano, LA wins a $25.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for the time charter of M/V Dove, a US-flagged, anchor-handling, towing supply vessel that will be used to support SBX-1. M/V Dove will transfer fuel, supplies, and offshore workers to and from SBX-1, and will function as the platform’s oil spill response vessel. Alpha Marine Services will operate and maintain M/V Dove for the duration of the charter. This contract includes 4 more 1-year option periods, which could bring the total contract to $147 million.
Work will be provided in the Pacific Ocean, and is expected to be complete by September 2012. Contract funds are subject to availability in FY 2012, and will expire on either Sept 30/12 or Sept 30/13; subsequent options could extend that. This contract was competitively procured via a solicitation posted to the Military Sealift Command, Navy Electronic Commerce Online, and FBO.gov websites with 4 offers received. US Military Sealift Command in Washington, DC manages the contract (N00033-11-C-2006).
April 19/11: A sole-source, not-to-exceed $27.2 million cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contract modification. The firm will provide support for SBX’s shipyard maintenance at Todd Pacific Shipyard in Seattle, WA, from March 2011 through September 2011.
$10.4 million in FY 2011 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation funds will be used to incrementally fund this effort (HQ0147-09-C-0007, P00028).
Oct 7/10: The Missile Defense Agency is planning to have SBX undergo modifications and maintenance at the Todd Shipyard in Seattle, WA. Work is expected to start in March 2011, cost about $9.4 million, and take about 90 days.
Work on the vessel’s thrusters and other modifications must begin in March, 2011, in order to maintain its Certificate of Inspection issued by the American Bureau of Shipping. Maintaining SBX requires a port with water depth of at least 50 feet, and there are only 3 facilities on the US West Coast with deep enough facilities: Todd, Naval Station Everett, WA; and Naval Air Station North Island, CA. US MDA.
Sept 30/10: Boeing in Huntsville, AL, receives a $27.9 million sole-source cost-plus-award-fee modification to continue Sea-based X-band Radar development, test and evaluation efforts.
Work will be performed in Huntsville, AL from October 2010 through July 2011. This procurement will be funded with both FY 2010 and FY 2011 Missile Defense Agency research, development, test and evaluation funds (HQ0147-09-C-0008).
April 6/10: Aviation Week is able to add some details regarding the January 2010 test failure:
“The first problem, known in the rocket sector as “chuffing,” occurred as the target boosted from the Kwajalein Atoll…. refers to the sound that the motor makes, but it is also used to describe changes in the burn rate or pressure of burning in the solid-rocket fuel… [it’s] common in rocket motors, particularly older boosters. LV-2 used Trident C4 boosters, some of which are 25-35 years in age.
....While the chuffing did not affect target performance, a problem arose when…. Algorithms designed to help SBX “filter out” chuffing were not engaged during the test [which became] more complex than it should have been. In a real engagement, this official says, the algorithms would be engaged…. The second problem contributing to the test failure involved the functioning of the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) itself, according to the officials. The EKV apparently experienced a mechanical failure in a thruster. This was described by one of the officials as a quality control issue brought on by a faulty connector.”
Jan 31/10: The USA MDA announces that, following a number of successful missile interception tests involving SBX in a supporting role, the latest test experienced a glitch:
“A target missile was successfully launched at approximately 3:40 p.m. PST from the U.S. Army’s Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Approximately six minutes later, a Ground-Based Interceptor was successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Both the target missile and Ground-Based Interceptor performed nominally after launch. However, the Sea-Based X-band radar did not perform as expected.”
See also: WIRED Danger Room.
March 23/09: Raytheon announces a $27 million contract from Boeing to support the Ground-based Mid-course Defense system’s 6-month bridge effort. Work will include continued evolution, maturation, test, and verification of the Raytheon-built X-Band Radar aboard the Boeing-developed SBX, plus work on the Upgraded Early Warning Radars at Beale Air Force Base, CA, and at Fylingdales, England; and the Cobra Dane Upgrade Radar at Shemya, AK.
Dec 5/08: The USA’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system successfully intercepts a target warhead in a live-fire test that includes SBX.
The long-range ballistic missile target lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska. In response, a GMD interceptor missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, and received target data updates from the GMD fire control system, which collected and combined data from 4 different sensors: naval AEGIS Long Range Surveillance and Track system; the AN/TPY-2 land-based; the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, CA; and SBX. After flying into space, the interceptor released its exoatmospheric kill vehicle, which tracked, intercepted and destroyed the target warhead. Norm Tew, Boeing’s chief engineer for GMD:
“This test was an important milestone for the Sea-Based X-Band Radar…. This was the first intercept test in which data from SBX was combined with data from the other sensors to provide tracking data and guidance aimpoint updates to [a live] interceptor.”
See: Boeing.
July 18/08: The U.S. Missile Defense Agency tests the land-based Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system of sensors, including SBX. While previous tests typically involved a single target-tracking sensor, this test used 4: a ship-mounted AEGIS Long Range Surveillance and Track system in the Pacific; an AN/TPY-2 radar in Juneau, AK; the Upgraded Early Warning Radar at Beale Air Force Base, CA, and the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) in the Pacific.
During the test, the sensors detected, tracked and assessed a long-range ballistic missile target launched from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska. The sensors provided target information via ground and satellite links to GMD’s dual-node, distributed fire control system, located at Fort Greely, AK, and NORAD HQ in Colorado Springs, CO. Boeing.
March 17/08: Raytheon announces 2 two task orders worth $28.3 million, as part of an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity Consolidated Contractor Logistics Services program to operate and sustain the US MDA’s X-Band radars (AN/TPY-2 used in the FBR and THAAD, GBR-P radar, and XBR/SBX). The first task order, valued at $1.2 million, provides management services for the operation and sustainment of the Raytheon-developed X-Band radar (XBR) aboard the Sea-Based X-Band radar (SBX) vessel and subsequent task orders. The second task order, valued at $27.1 million, covers the XBR/SBX’s day-to-day management, direction and control, and operations.
Raytheon adds that this contract award signifies a long-term partnership between Raytheon and MDA to consolidate operations and sustainment, designed to improve operational availability and reduce the total cost of ownership by identifying and leveraging efficiencies and improvements throughout the missile defense mission. This contract is structured to include a 5-year base period worth $756 million, plus 5 one-year options, bringing the total potential value to $1.9 billion over 10 years.
Work will be performed at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems Missile Defense Center in Woburn, MA; Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, MA; and by Raytheon Technical Services Company personnel at sites designated by the MDA.
Sept 20/07: Boeing announces that the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX) mooring system has been installed at SBX’s homeport near the Aleutian island of Adak, Alaska. Boeing sub-contractor Manson Construction used tugs, barges and cranes to place the mooring system’s 8 anchors on the bottom of Kuluk Bay. Heavy machinery aboard a barge then dragged the 75-metric-ton anchors, embedding them into the sea bed. The construction team completed the installation 3 weeks ahead of schedule.
Boeing’s partners in this effort included partners Manson Construction Co., Golder Co., Glosten Associates, the US Missile Defense Agency; and the American Bureau of Shipping, which had to ensure that the work met all mooring installation standards.
March 21/07: The US MDA completes a Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system test using the SBX radar, which detected, tracked and assessing a long-range ballistic missile target launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA.
This was primarily a test of the system’s sensors and handoffs. As part of the GMD system, SBX provided that target information via satellite to GMD’s Colorado-based fire control system, which used the data to simulate a target shootdown with a simulated ground-based interceptor. Boeing.
Jan 4/07: Raytheon Company has announced a $32.7 million subcontract to provide sustainment support for the X-Band Radar (XBR) portion of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX). The award was made by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, as SBX is considered to be part of the Ground Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), and Boeing is the prime contractor for that segment.
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will provide trained personnel for on-platform sustainment and operation of the XBR, along with radar maintenance and development of spares. The contract will run through 2007, and work will be performed at the company’s Missile Defense Center in Woburn, MA; the Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, MA; and Raytheon Technical Services Company on site at the SBX platform.
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Aug 28/06: SBX was supposed to be in Adak by now, but it’s still in Hawaii. The non-governmental Project On Government Oversight looks at the issues and glitches that are keeping it in port, via a link to a Chicago Tribune article and a leaked “For Official Use Only” June 2/06 document entitled “SBX-1 Operational Suitability and Viability Assessment” [PDF]. Most of the issues are typical post-shakedown items re: adequate training, drills & procedures mature enough, certifications required, recreation facilities, et. al.. Other issues like the crane’s ability to handle at-sea tasks, electrical/propulsion limitations, et. al. are more serious.
June 8/05: The Raytheon Co. in Waltham, MA receives an indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity contract to provide logistics support services to operate and maintain up to 4 forward-based X-Band transportable radars to support the Ballistic Missile Defense System. The maximum potential value of the contract is $260.9 million. Most work will take place at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems in Woburn, MA from May 26/05 through May 25/10. The Missile Defense Agency issued the contract (HQ0006-05-C-0016).
At this point, the platform is expected to arrive in Adak, Alaska on schedule by late December 2005, and may get a full test when it nears Hawaii and a nearby missile range on its voyage north. Integration, testing and certification will evaluation will continue throughout its voyage. Meanwhile, the final touches are being put on the sea-based X-band radar system, which is expected to ship out on a 20,000-mile (32,000-km) trip from Ingleside/Corpus Christi, TX to Adak, AK in the Aleutian Islands.
April 5/05: Raytheon announces that it BMDS X-Band Radar has been lifted aboard the SBX-1 platform.
Jan 27/03: The Boeing Co. in Anaheim, CA received a $747.5 million cost-plus-award-fee modification to contract HQ0006-01-C-0001, for completion of the development of Sea-Based Test X-Band Radar (SBX) capability. Boeing will continue to develop a Test X-Band Radar (XBR) capability in support of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program as a multi-phased acquisition, and this modification is described as “necessary to ensure that a Test XBR is ready to be integrated into the Ballistic Missile Defense System Test Bed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2005. Raytheon Electronic Systems, a major subcontractor, in Bedford, Mass., will primarily perform the effort.”
Phase one of the SBX effort was awarded during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2002, and an effort was announced in November 2002 for acquisition of radar long-lead items and associated labor costs. The Missile Defense Agency issued the contract (HQ0006-01-C-0001).
Nov 21/02: The Boeing Co. in Anaheim, CA received a $30 million cost-plus-award-fee modification to contract HQ0006-01-C-0001 for acquisition of long-lead items associated with the Test X-Band Radar (XBR) capability in support of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program, as well as associated labor costs. Subject to completion of environmental analysis, this modification is necessary to ensure that a Test XBR is ready to be integrated into the Ballistic Missile Defense System Test Bed in the 4th quarter of FY 2005. Raytheon Electronic Systems, a major subcontractor, in Bedford, MA, will primarily perform the effort.
None of these funds will be used to acquire the sea-based platform, in accordance with direction contained in the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the conference report for H.R. 5010 (P.L. 107-248), the FY 2003 Department of Defense Appropriations Act (HQ0006-01-C-0001).
Aug 1/02: The Boeing Co. in Anaheim, CA received a cost-plus-award fee contract modification for development of a Sea-Based Test X-band Radar capability in support of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program. This effort will be accomplished in a phased approach. At this time, only Phase 1 is being executed, for the reservation of the sea-based platform and preliminary design effort in the amount of $31 million. The principal place of performance will be Bedford, MA (HQ0006-01-C-0001).
Additional Readings and Sources
- HowStuffworks.com – How Missile Defense Systems Will Work
- Claremont Institute, MissileThreat.com – Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX)
- GlobalSecurity.org – Sea-Based X-Band radar
- Raytheon – Sea-Based X-Band Radar for Missile Defense [PDF]
- Report to the US Missile Defense Agency (June 2/06) – SBX-1 Operational Suitability and Viability Assessment [PDF]. Submitted by L-3 Communications subsidiary SY Coleman.
- Reuters (June 7/05) – Missile defense radar nearing completion in Texas
- SpaceWar.com (May 23/05) – Radome Successfully Installed on Sea-Based X-Band Radar
