Raytheon to support US Air Force’s BMEWS and PAVE PAWS Early Warning Radars.

Raytheon  will be awarded a $494,921,934 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Solid State Modules Replacement for the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and the Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System (PAVE PAWS) radars.

Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar (Picture source: US Air Force)

Phase I includes the production of 148 qualification units and Phase II includes the full rate production of spares, out of band replacements at the Fylingdales Royal Air Force Station, and sensitivity improvement units for a maximum total production of up to 40,071 for all five radar sites.

These five BMEWS/PAVE PAWS Early Warning Radars (EWRs) are ground-based Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) systems providing timely, accurate, and unambiguous missile warning and space situation awareness to the U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and missile defense to the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

Two of the BMEWS Radars – Thule and RAF Fylingdales – and one PAVE PAWS – Beale AFB – have been modified to support the Missile Defense mission through the Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) program. These sites are designed primarily to detect and track intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) and Sea Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM), while conducting general space surveillance and satellite tracking.

The other two PAVE PAWS sites – Clear AFS an Cape Cod AFS – will also be upgraded to through the UEWR program in near future.

This contract has a base ordering period of five years with a two year ordering option period. Work will be performed at Woburn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 19, 2026.