Lockheed Martin [LMT] in late June performed a capability demonstration for its Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) prototype, setting the stage for a $1.3 billion Air Force source selection next year.
3DELRR will serve as the Air Force’s principal long-range, ground-based sensor for detecting, identifying and reporting aerial targets, replacing the aging AN/TPS-75. Northrop Grumman [NOC], also competing for the contract, was expected to perform its 3DELRR demo in mid-July. Raytheon [RTN] is also bidding for 3DELRR with Saab Sensis, a subsidiary of Saab, as a subcontractor (Defense Daily, June 27).
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| Pictured is Lockheed Martin’s 3DELRR prototype. Lockheed Martin is competing with Northrop Grumman and Raytheon for the $1.3 billion contract. Photo: Lockheed Martin. |
Lockheed Martin said in a statement its 3DELRR prototype detected required targets of opportunity launched from a Syracuse, N.Y., airport and surrounding areas. Lockheed Martin hired additional test aircraft for the event, putting the prototype through more advanced performance detection and tracking scenarios expected of long-range radars, according to a spokeswoman.
Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Rashi Ratan said yesterday the company used Cherokee 140 single-prop and Cheyenne Twin turboprop aircraft for “truth-source” data. Both aircraft are developed by Piper Aircraft. Ratan also said Lockheed Martin used its local AN/TPS-77 long-range surveillance radar to overlay air pictures with the 3DELRR prototype to provide additional confidence checks.
Ratan said the demo was performed over two days with the first day providing more in-depth demonstrations on the critical technology elements integrated into the full-scale prototype. Ratan said the second day was focused on the performance of the prototype and its inherent capability for the 3DELRR mission.
The Air Force is expected to release its request for proposals (RFP) for the next phase of the program in August or September. The service will eventually pick a single contractor for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase, which is expected to be awarded in the second quarter of 2014.
All three companies were awarded $35 million EMD contracts in August 2012. The Air Force said firm fixed-price and/or fixed-price, incentive firm contracts are planned for the EMD periods (Defense Daily, June 20).