DECEMBER 9, 2025 – U.S. Space Force’s Combat Forces Command took operational acceptance of a solid-state long-range radar system, Long Range Discrimination Radar, Dec. 4. This acceptance marks a significant advancement for the Space Force’s Missile Warning, Tracking, and Targeting Mission area by optimizing interceptor precision, shortening reaction time and reinforcing deterrence against ballistic missile threats.
On Dec. 4, the Missile Defense Agency completed LRDR’s operational trial period for CFC. The radar, located at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska, combines proven solid-state radar technologies with proven ballistic missile defense algorithms to provide the warfighter advanced ground sensor capabilities supporting both MWT&T and Space Domain Awareness. CFC accepted the MWT&T aspect for operational readiness with the SDA functionality slated for operational acceptance following an operational trial period with Command and Control, Battle and Management Communications and the National Space Defense Center.
The radar is specifically designed for precision discrimination to distinguish between ballistic missile lethal and non-lethal objects in a highly congested operating space. It improves the probability of mission success by searching, tracking and discriminating multiple long-range threats simultaneously, and providing precision track, discrimination and hit assessment data to the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Fire Control System.
The LRDR’s design provides broad multi-mission capabilities across a wide field of view. Advanced radar technology contributes to its enhanced performance, improved efficiency and greater reliability. Its adaptable architecture allows for future upgrades to address evolving threats without significant system modifications. Moreover, its continuous threat monitoring ensures operational readiness, even during maintenance, minimizing potential downtime.
“LRDR’s precision reliability enhances the efficiency of U.S. missile intercept capabilities by quickly and accurately detecting missile threats at extended ranges,” said Col. Jared Hoffman, assistant deputy commander for CFC’s Operations, Plans, Training and Force Development. “This operational acceptance signifies a critical milestone in bolstering U.S. national security and missile warning, tracking and targeting capabilities, and I am incredibly honored to be working alongside the talented men and women who will be maintaining and operating this critical radar.”
The MDA will continue to fund and execute LRDR weapon system Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, system upgrades, and depot-level maintenance and sustainment, while CFC will be responsible for funding and executing LRDR weapon system operations, organizational level maintenance, and LRDR Common Support Equipment maintenance and sustainment. The radar will be maintained by CFC’s Mission Delta 4’s 13th Space Warning Squadron at Clear SFS, while daily operating responsibilities will fall under MD4’s 7th Space Warning Squadron and be performed by contract missile defense radar operators located remotely at Space Operations Centers at Beale Air Force Base and Cheyenne Mountain SFS via the C2BMC sensor manager. 7th SWS will operate the system in conjunction with U.S. Space Command in support of U.S. Northern Command’s homeland defense mission, ensuring the safety of the U.S. and its allies.
Mission Delta 4, headquartered at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado, provides strategic and theater missile warning to the United States and its international partners by operating and supporting three constellations of Overhead Persistent Infrared satellites and two types of Ground-Based Radars for the purpose of conducting strategic and theater missile warning. MD4 provides tipping and cueing to missile defense forces; provides battlespace awareness to Combatant Commanders and technical intelligence for further analysis; manages weapon system architectures; and ensures operations are intelligence-led, cyber-resilient and driven by innovation.
U.S. Space Force Combat Forces Command, as the U.S. Space Force’s service force provider, is one of three field commands focused on generating and presenting combat-ready forces capable of achieving space superiority. CFC encompasses eight distinct, but integrated mission deltas and three space base deltas focused on space domain awareness; space electromagnetic warfare; missile warning and tracking; cyberspace warfare; intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting; satellite communications; orbital warfare and navigational warfare.
For questions and further information, please contact USSF CFC Media Operations at 719-554-3731 or e-mail cfc.pa.media@spaceforce.mil. Get the latest Combat Forces Command news here, on Facebook or on LinkedIn.
By USSF Combat Forces Command