Us Space Force Radar Project Hit With Delays As Construction Hits Snag In Western Australia

The U.S. Space Force’s Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) program has hit a snag due to construction delays on the ground-based radar site in Western Australia, which may impact the entire program. According to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the first of three deep-space radars approved for early operational use is still awaiting completion, and the program’s progress has been hindered by “unanticipated cost growth” and delays at the site.

The DARC program aims to provide 24/7, all-weather tracking of objects in geosynchronous orbit up to 22,000 miles above Earth. It was approved last September for early operational use but has faced construction issues, including modifications required due to “foreign country requirements.” These modifications have resulted in additional cost growth and schedule slips, which are having a ripple effect on the rest of the program.

The GAO report highlights that the program’s progress is being impacted by these delays. Construction at the third site is expected to be pushed back by at least 10 months to July 2030, which has significant implications for the overall program timeline as all three sites are expected to be online by December 2032. The U.S., Australia, and United Kingdom collaborate on this joint effort, with the Space Force leading development.

The DARC program will provide a continuous view of the entire geosynchronous orbit (GEO) belt, giving the U.S. and its allies greater coverage than any other ground-based system. The radars will be built by Northrop Grumman, with two facilities under construction in Western Australia and Wales, while the third site is expected to be located in the U.S.

Construction on the second radar site is slated for next April, while the first site is on track for operational acceptance early next year. The Space Force had previously considered changing course on the DARC acquisition strategy but decided to continue with the full program, which includes $442 million in fiscal ‘27 and another $1.6 billion through fiscal ‘31.

The GAO report notes that the program’s budget is significant, with a total of $3.2 billion allocated over the next five years. The funding will support the development and deployment of the radars as well as operational testing and training for Space Force personnel who will operate the system.

Despite the delays and cost growth, the DARC program remains crucial to the U.S. Space Force’s efforts to develop its capabilities in space domain awareness. This is a critical capability enabling the ability to know what is going on and where in space, foundational to operating freely in space and performing core missions like space control.

The program’s development has been influenced by advances in technology, particularly radar systems. The DARC radars will use a new type of radar system capable of tracking objects in geosynchronous orbit with greater precision and accuracy than previous systems. This will enable the Space Force to detect and track objects in real-time, providing critical warning time for potential missile threats.

The U.S. Space Force has stated its commitment to the DARC program, emphasizing the importance of developing this capability. The program’s success is seen as crucial to the military’s ability to operate freely in space and protect national interests.

The GAO report highlights the need for careful management of the program’s budget and schedule to address delays and cost growth issues and get the program back on track to deliver a critical capability to the military.

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