UK could be site for ‘deep space’ radar

BRITAIN IS in talks with the US over siting a powerful new radar system in the UK to track objects in deep space and boost existing facilities based in North Yorkshire.

The Ministry of Defence said discussions with the Americans had been “positive” with a number of locations under consideration. The US Space Force is developing a global system to monitor objects up to 22,000 miles from Earth amid concerns about a new arms race developing in space. Both the US and the UK have warned China and Russia are developing weapons that could be used to take out a satellite.

The head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, who is in the US for talks with the Americans, said the British were “very interested” in the project.

“It will enable us to get a good picture of what is going on and if necessary be ready to protect our critical interests in space,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today show. “We see activity by countries like China and Russia which of course is of concern. It is reckless activity, deploying and testing of systems that look like weapons in space.

“So any system like the radar we are talking about which gives us a better picture of what is going on is incredibly important.”

The US already operates an early warning system to detect ballistic missiles in space, which includes a facility at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire. However, RAF Fylingdales, which became operational in 1963 and whose distinctive pyramid shape is a landmark on the North York Moors, can only detect objects up to 12,000 miles away.

To get a fuller picture of what is happening, the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability will require three radar stations around the globe with possible sites in the UK, US and Australia.