SBX radar ship to undergo maintenance

WASHINGTON, May 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. Missile Defense Agency's Sea-Based X-band Radar will soon undergo maintenance and upgrade work at Vigor Shipyard Seattle.

The agency said the vessel has entered Puget Sound and work will commence immediately.

The SBX Radar is one of the sensors for the U.S. missile defense system. Its mission is to identify ballistic missile threats and relay that information to battle management, command, control and communications systems for missile defense.

While at the shipyard, a naval vessel protection zone will be in effect and enforced by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The radar won't be based in the Seattle area and won't operate while in the shipyard, the agency said. All vessel movements and work associated with the SBX are fully compliant with all environmental, health and hazard laws and ordnances.

Vigor Shipyard Seattle, formerly Todd Pacific Shipyards, is part of Oregon's Vigor Industrial LLC.