(U) Eglin

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)

Overview: (U)
(U) The AN/FPS-85 phased array radar at Eglin AFB, Florida, is an element of the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) that detects, acquires, correlates, and tracks space objects.

Description: (U)
(U) The Eglin radar system incorporates a AN/FPS-85 phased array radar which operates in the 437-447 megahertz (MHz) range and is capable of both near-earth and deep-space simultaneous observation. The system is capable of 10,000 observations per day of extreme sensitivity and provides radar coverage of 120 degrees in azimuth and in excess of 22,000 miles in range.  The transmitter array contains 5,928 transmitter antennas in a 78 x 76 square array and 5,184 transmitter modules installed in a 72 x 72 square array.  The receiver array contains 19,500 receiver antennas and 4,660 receiver modules.  The radar can track low earth orbit (LEO) and deep space objects simultaneously and can track objects down to 5 centimeters in size.  The Eglin radar provides 38 percent of the near-earth catalogue, providing timely, accurate surveillance of DoD and non-DoD space assets.

(U) Construction of the Eglin radar began on 29 Oct 1962 at Site C-6, located approximately 35 miles east of Eglin's main base.  Four months prior to completion, the site was completely destroyed by a fire caused by arcing electrical equipment.  The Air Force finally took over ownership of the AN/FPS-85 on 20 Sep 1968.  The AN/FPS-85 was originally tasked with tracking objects in space.  In 1975, the primary mission was changed to tracking submarine launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) with a secondary mission of space surveillance.  On 1 Jan 1987, the radar returned to its original priority mission of space surveillance.  

User Impact: (U)
(U) Loss of Eglin would have a dramatic impact on both the near- and deep-space surveillance mission, and maintenance of the space catalogue.

Programmatics: (U)
(U) Operational.

(U) Organizations and Funding:
	(U) AFSPC: Funding Source.

Related Initiatives: (U)
(U) SCC/ALTERNATE SCC, US Space Command (USSPACECOM)

Related Requirements: (U)
(U) None.

Related Categories: (U)
(U) Dedicated Sensors, Radar

Road Map Placements: (U)
(U) National Security Space Road Map, SPACE CONTROL: S.S. NETWORK.

Lead Office: (U)
(U) Air Force.

Date of Information: (U)
28 August 1998

(The effects of any budget/program decisions made since the information was collected during 1997-98 are NOT reflected in the National Security Space Road Map (NSSRM).)