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Space Force Expands Radar Upgrade Plan

March 23, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Space Force expands Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) effort.
All eight legacy ground-based radars to be digitized.
Upgrades aim to improve missile defense and space monitoring capabilities.

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Strategic Implications

This expanded effort may indicate the Space Force's growing concern about modern digital threats. The digitization of legacy radars could significantly enhance the service's ability to detect and track smaller, faster objects, which suggests a shift in focus towards more advanced missile defense capabilities.

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What Happened

Digitization Effort To Improve Missile Defense And Space Monitoring

The Space Force has broadened its plans to upgrade its legacy ground-based radars, now envisioning a comprehensive program to digitize all eight systems. The expanded Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) effort aims to improve missile defense and space monitoring capabilities, allowing the service to better defeat modern digital threats. According to a Space Systems Command (SSC) spokesperson, the program will equip all eight radars with the same back-end computers, servers, and software, as well as update the radar’s front-end antennas. This was first reported by Breaking Defense.

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