The United States Space Force has officially designated a site in north Texas as the preferred location for the final installation of its new Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC), a critical component in enhancing allied space domain awareness. The announcement, made on September 9, marks a significant step forward for the trilateral program involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Subject to final regulatory approvals and environmental assessments, construction for the advanced radar system and its accompanying support facilities is slated to commence at Lake Kickapoo, Texas, in 2027. This timeline positions the U.S. to rapidly integrate the third DARC site into a global network designed to provide an unprecedented view of geosynchronous orbit (GEO).
The DARC program is a collaborative effort between the three allied nations, aiming to significantly bolster their collective ability to monitor objects in geosynchronous orbit. This orbital band, approximately 22,000 miles (35,786 kilometers) above Earth’s equator, is home to vital communication, navigation, weather, and national security satellites. The complete DARC system will consist of three strategically placed radar sites, engineered to deliver continuous, 24/7, all-weather surveillance of the entire GEO belt. This comprehensive coverage surpasses the capabilities of any existing ground-based space surveillance system currently in operation.
Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, the new Chief of Space Operations, underscored the strategic importance of the Texas selection. In a statement, he affirmed, “Selecting Texas as the preferred location for the final DARC site keeps us on track to deliver a truly global deep-space sensing network with our closest allies. This capability will improve visibility in our contested domain and reinforce our shared capacity to protect the space systems on which our nations rely.” His remarks highlight the imperative to maintain awareness and protect critical space infrastructure in an increasingly competitive and congested orbital environment.
Under the framework of the trilateral agreement, the U.S. Space Force is spearheading the development and acquisition of the DARC system. However, the partnership is structured to allow the United Kingdom and Australia to host and operate their respective sites, fostering robust joint operations and exercises. Northrop Grumman, a leading aerospace and defense technology company, has been contracted to build the sophisticated radar systems for all three locations.
Progress on the other two DARC sites has been steady. The first DARC site, situated in western Australia, initiated construction in 2023 and concluded its primary build phase by late 2024. Following successful preliminary testing, the Australian site was cleared for early operational use in 2025, even as further comprehensive testing and evaluation continue. The second DARC site, located in Wales, United Kingdom, received its selection confirmation in 2024, with construction anticipated to commence in April 2026, pending final governmental and environmental approvals.
The Space Force is planning an expedited development and deployment schedule for the Texas site. The current timeline projects the awarding of a construction contract and the initiation of site work in 2027, with building completion targeted for 2029. Following construction, an intensive test and evaluation phase is scheduled to conclude, leading to the radar’s acceptance for full operational use in 2030. This aggressive timeline represents an acceleration from earlier projections; the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had previously reported a 2032 timeline for all three DARC sites to be fully operational.
The program’s journey has not been without its uncertainties. At one point, around 2025, the Space Force had indicated it was re-evaluating its DARC acquisition strategy, which included considering the potential cancellation of the third location. However, this strategic review concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to the full program. The service’s fiscal year 2027 budget request notably allocated full funding for the DARC initiative, earmarking $442 million for that fiscal year alone and an additional $1.6 billion through fiscal year 2031, signaling a strong and sustained investment in this critical capability.
The selection of Lake Kickapoo holds historical significance for U.S. space surveillance efforts. This area, approximately 120 miles northwest of Fort Worth, previously served as the primary transmitter site for the legacy AN/FPS-133 Space Fence system. Originally developed by the U.S. Navy, the Space Fence was later transferred to the Air Force and ultimately decommissioned in 2013. Its successor, the modern AN/FSY-3 Space Fence, became operational in 2020. The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) notably described the Lake Kickapoo site as “the largest continuous wave transmitter in the world” at the time of its construction, highlighting its long-standing role in advanced radar technology and space tracking.
photo courtesy of ONR
Why This Matters
The establishment of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) is fundamentally important for several critical reasons, impacting national security, economic stability, and the future governance of outer space.
Enhanced Space Domain Awareness (SDA):DARC significantly advances the ability of the U.S. and its allies to see, understand, and characterize objects in geosynchronous orbit. This orbital belt is crucial because it hosts many of the world’s most vital satellites, including those for military intelligence, commercial communications, GPS navigation, and weather forecasting. As space becomes more congested with active satellites and orbital debris, and as potential adversaries develop anti-satellite capabilities, a comprehensive and continuous view of GEO is no longer a luxury but a necessity for identifying threats, tracking anomalies, and ensuring the safety and security of essential space assets.
National Security and Deterrence:By providing a clearer picture of what is happening in deep space, DARC directly supports national security objectives. It allows for the early detection and tracking of potentially hostile activities, such as attempts to jam, disrupt, or destroy satellites. This improved awareness contributes to deterrence by demonstrating a robust capability to monitor and respond to threats, thus safeguarding the space-based infrastructure that underpins modern military operations and intelligence gathering.
Economic Stability:Beyond military applications, the global economy relies heavily on satellites in GEO for a myriad of daily functions. Telecommunications, financial transactions, precision agriculture, aviation, and maritime shipping all depend on satellite services. Any disruption to these services, whether from intentional attacks, accidental collisions with debris, or natural space weather events, could have catastrophic economic consequences. DARC helps protect these critical commercial assets by providing the data needed to maneuver satellites away from potential impacts and to identify sources of interference.
Strengthening Alliances and Interoperability:The trilateral partnership between the U.S., U.K., and Australia on DARC reinforces key alliances and promotes interoperability in space operations. This collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment to space security and allows for the pooling of resources, expertise, and intelligence. By integrating their space surveillance capabilities, these nations enhance collective security and set a precedent for responsible behavior and shared defense in the space domain.
Evolution of Space Surveillance:The DARC program represents a generational leap in space surveillance technology, moving beyond previous systems like the original Space Fence. Its distributed, global architecture ensures resilience against localized outages and provides unparalleled coverage. The accelerated timeline for deployment underscores the urgent recognition of space as a contested domain requiring continuous vigilance and advanced capabilities to protect vital interests.
In essence, DARC is an indispensable investment in the future of space. It ensures that the nations most reliant on space for their security and prosperity possess the means to understand and operate safely and effectively in an increasingly complex and strategically vital frontier.