AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar

The AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar is a large, fixed, solid-state phased-array radar system designed for ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance. It detects and tracks sea-launched and intercontinental ballistic missiles, providing critical data for defense systems.

Developed by Raytheon in the early 2000s, the AN/FPS-132 was created to upgrade legacy PAVE PAWS and Ballistic Missile Early Warning System radars, integrating them into the United States' Ground-based Midcourse Defense architecture. The system officially entered service in 2006 at Beale Air Force Base, California, with subsequent upgrades completed at RAF Fylingdales in the United Kingdom and Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. While not used in active combat, these strategic installations have continuously monitored global airspace, tracking orbital objects and providing real-time threat assessments during geopolitical crises. Today, the radar network remains fully operational under the United States Space Force, serving as a cornerstone of Western aerospace defense.