ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- BAE Systems has been given a three-year contract extension by the U.S. Air Force Space Command for continued maintenance of its space radars.
The space radars -- the State Phased Array Radar System -- is a network of radars that tracks more than 16,000 objects orbiting Earth, such as active or inactive satellites, rocket parts and other debris.
The system also tracks objects that may enter the atmosphere -- information that is vital to air missile defense operations and to protecting against submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
Under the contract, which extends the work BAE Systems has been performing since 2007, the company will provide a range of services. Included would be around-the-clock operations and maintenance.
The extension is for three years and raises the cumulative value of work on the system to about $540 million, it said.
"The contract extension builds on our strong and successful track record in support of Air Force Space Command," said Tom White, senior director of Mission Support Solutions at BAE Systems. "This program is a critical part of national defense, and our role ensures that our customer is always ready."
