Space Radar Program Cancelled

[Satellite Today – 3-7-08] The U.S. Department of Defense has cancelled the Space Radar program, a U.S. Air Force spokeswoman confirmed March 6.
    The program, which would have provided global intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the military and intelligence communities, was allotted no money in the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2009 budget request.
    The decision to cut the program, first reported Space News, was made jointly between the Pentagon and the intelligence community, according to the statement.
    "The Space Radar program of record is not affordable and will be restructured effective immediately. The program office is taking the necessary actions to implement this direction. Space Radar program of record activities will cease as soon as practical. The government will continue to vigorously pursue alternatives to meet the [Department of Defense] and [intelligence community] requirements for radar capabilities from space."
    A team led by Lockheed Martin was working on Space Radar under a development contract awarded by the Air Force in 2004. “Our team has performed well in demonstrating our technological readiness essential for introducing Space Radar, achieving major risk reduction milestones under our 2004-awarded Phase A concept development contract,” Steve Tatum, a spokesman for Lockheed Martin, said in an e-mail statement. “Going forward, we stand ready to support the government’s effort to address any new requirements and plans for providing this critical capability.”