In this section you will find an information on the current U.S. sensor network.

 

 

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The current generation of Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) sensors includes the following:

• AN/TPY-2 is a transportable X-band high resolution radar that is capable of tracking all classes of ballistic missiles. AN/TPY-2 in the forward-based mode (FBM) is capable of detecting missiles early after launch to support Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and GMD engagements. AN/TPY-2 in the terminal mode (TM) can track missiles in the later stages of flight to support THAAD.

• Sea-based Xband Radar (SBX) is a radar capable of tracking, discriminating, and assessing the flight characteristics of ballistic missiles. SBX primarily supports GMD for homeland defense and can guide interceptor missiles while in flight 

• Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) are U.S. Air Force early warning radars that are upgraded and, when integrated into the BMDS, provide sensor coverage for critical early warning, tracking, object classification, and cueing data. UEWRs are located in Beale, California; Fylingdales, United Kingdom; and Thule, Greenland. MDA also plans to upgrade the early warning radar in Clear, Alaska.

• Cobra Dane radar is a U.S. Air Force radar located in Shemya, Alaska that has been upgraded and integrated into the BMDS to provide missile acquisition, tracking, object classification, and cueing data.