AN/FPS-117

The AN/FPS-117 is a long-range, three-dimensional (3D), solid-state air search radar system. It is designed for unattended operation, providing surveillance data for air traffic control and air defense networks.

Developed by General Electric in the late 1970s under the U.S. Air Force's "Seek Igloo" program, this radar was designed to replace aging, high-maintenance vacuum-tube systems with highly reliable solid-state technology. The system officially entered service in 1983, initially deployed across Alaska to provide early warning capabilities during the Cold War. It was subsequently integrated into the North Warning System across Canada and the northern United States, and has been exported to numerous NATO allies and global partners for regional airspace defense. Today, the radar remains a cornerstone of global airspace surveillance, undergoing continuous modernization and software upgrades by Lockheed Martin to maintain operational readiness.