What sites make up BMEWS?

Three sites: Site I at Thule Air Base, Greenland (AN/FPS-132 UEWR); Site II at RAF Fylingdales, UK (Solid State Phased Array Radar, SSPAR); Site III at Clear Space Force Station, Alaska (AN/FPS-132 UEWR). All three have been upgraded from original mechanical/reflector designs to solid-state phased array radars operating in UHF band (420-450 MHz).

The upgraded AN/FPS-132 UEWR radars detect 1 m^2 RCS targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 km using UHF frequencies (420-450 MHz) with peak transmit power of several megawatts. The large aperture phased arrays (approximately 25 m diameter) provide narrow beamwidths for accurate tracking. The system provides 15-25 minutes of warning time for ICBM trajectories from launch detection to impact.

How has BMEWS evolved?

Original BMEWS (1960s): mechanical tracking radars (AN/FPS-49, AN/FPS-50). Upgraded 1970s-80s: AN/FPS-115 PAVE PAWS solid-state phased arrays. Current: AN/FPS-132 Upgraded Early Warning Radar with digital beamforming, improved clutter rejection, and satellite tracking capability. The evolution mirrors the transition from mechanical to electronic beam steering in military radar.

Radar & Defense

BMEWS

BMEWS (Ballistic Missile Early Warning System) is a network of three large phased array radar sites positioned across the Northern Hemisphere to detect and track intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Operating at UHF frequencies (420-450 MHz) with multi-megawatt peak power and ~25 m apertures, the upgraded AN/FPS-132 radars detect 1 m² targets at ranges exceeding 5,000 km, providing 15-25 minutes of warning time.

Category: Radar & Defense

Range: >5,000 km

Understanding BMEWS

BMEWS was conceived in the late 1950s to provide strategic warning of Soviet ICBM launches over the North Pole. The original sites used large mechanical tracking radars. Beginning in the 1970s, all three sites were upgraded to solid-state phased array radars with electronic beam steering, enabling simultaneous tracking of hundreds of objects including missiles, satellites, and space debris.

The UHF operating frequency provides favorable propagation through the ionosphere and atmosphere, good RCS for missile-sized targets, and resistance to rain attenuation. Digital beamforming in the upgraded systems enables adaptive clutter cancellation and simultaneous search and track modes.

Radar Range Equation (Detection)

R_max = [P_t·G²·λ²·σ / ((4π)³·S_min)]^1/4

At UHF (440 MHz, λ=0.68 m):
P_t = MW class, G ≈ 40 dBi
σ = 1 m²: R > 5,000 km

BMEWS Site Summary

Site	Location	Radar	Coverage
Site I	Thule, Greenland	AN/FPS-132	North Atlantic/Polar
Site II	Fylingdales, UK	SSPAR	Northern Europe
Site III	Clear AFS, Alaska	AN/FPS-132	North Pacific/Polar

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Sites?

Thule (Greenland), Fylingdales (UK), Clear (Alaska). All upgraded to solid-state phased arrays. UHF, MW-class power.

Detection range?

>5,000 km for 1 m² targets. 15-25 min warning time. Also tracks satellites and debris.

Evolution?

1960s mechanical → 1970s PAVE PAWS → current AN/FPS-132 digital beamforming with adaptive clutter rejection.

Related Terms

← Bluetooth Pairing Board Edge Clearance →

Defense Radar

Request a Quote

Need radar system components, phased array modules, or defense RF solutions? Contact our team.

Get in Touch