In a remarkable display of technological prowess, Northrop Grumman Corporation continues to push the boundaries of sensing technology, achieving a significant milestone with the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) and software demonstration for the U.S. Space Force's (USSF) Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability Program (DARC).
This momentous achievement comes just 12 months after the contract award and marks a major step forward in space domain awareness. The successful completion of the critical design review and initial software demonstration showcases Northrop Grumman's ability to develop a complex and advanced system with agility and speed.
Pablo Pezzimenti, the Vice President of Integrated National Systems at Northrop Grumman, emphasizes the significance of the DARC program, stating, "DARC will be the first to provide an all-weather, at all times capability in support of the space domain awareness mission that's critical to national and global security. The successful critical design review is a demonstration of our ability to develop a complex, advanced system with agility and speed."
With the CDR completed, the program now shifts its focus to the Factory Acceptance Testing of key subsystems, which is set to commence later this year. This testing phase will ensure the functionality and performance of critical components of the DARC system.
DARC is designed to overcome the limitations of current ground-based optical systems, which are only operational at night and are affected by weather conditions. By delivering an all-weather, 24/7 capability, DARC will enable continuous monitoring of the rapidly evolving geosynchronous orbital environment, providing enhanced space domain awareness. As an additional sensor in the military's space surveillance network, DARC will monitor deep space objects and eventually offer full global coverage.
Northrop Grumman, a leading global aerospace and defense technology company, remains committed to equipping its customers with innovative solutions that connect and protect the world. With a workforce of 95,000 individuals driven by a shared purpose to solve the toughest problems, they continue to redefine what is possible in the realm of sensing technology.
