WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has beaten out Raytheon and Northrop Grumman to build a new long-range discrimination radar (LRDR) for the Missile Defense Agency, a vital component to intercepting possible intercontinental ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran.
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) awarded a $784 million contract to build the radar.
MDA leaders have called the radar one of their biggest priorities in beefing up homeland ballistic-missile defense, along with improving the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV), a key part of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense System in California and Alaska.
Sequestration still threatens the LRDR. MDA Director Vice Adm. James D. Syring said earlier this year that sequestration-related cuts would mean having to delay the fielding of the radar.
The radar is expected to be positioned in Alaska.
Raytheon, an international leader in radar development and production, proposed an LRDR solution that capitalizes on the company's "extensive experience and proven performance across a broad spectrum of high-performing radar programs," according to Keri Connors, a company spokeswoman.
On whether Raytheon would consider protesting the award, Connors added the company will attend the post-award debrief and "we will assess the decision factors before making any such determination."
Northrop Grumman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Email: jjudson@defensenews.com
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Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
