The U.S. Air Force has chosen Raytheon [RTN] over Lockheed Martin [LMT] to develop the ground-based Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR), a replacement for the aging AN/TPS-75 (Tipsy 75) air surveillance radar, the service announced late May 11.
The Air Force awarded Raytheon a $52.7-million contract for the program’s engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase. Under the contract, Raytheon will provide three production-representative units.
Raytheon is expected to perform the work in Andover, Mass., and finish it by Nov. 30, 2020. The contract contains options for low-rate production, interim contractor support and full-rate production, according to the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.
Lockheed Martin said in a statement that it is disappointed with the outcome. It plans to await a debriefing from the Air Force in the next two weeks before deciding whether to protest the contract award.
“We believe that we presented a competitive and affordable solution throughout all phases of this acquisition,” the statement says. “We will await the Air Force’s debrief to learn why we were not selected.”
The Air Force originally awarded an EMD contract to Raytheon in 2014. But after losing bidders Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman [NOC] challenged that decision, the service launched a new competition. Northrop Grumman did not submit a bid for the latest competition.
The new radar is designed to detect and track hostile aircraft and missiles. It is supposed to replace all Tipsy 75s by 2029.
“3DELRR will offer improvements over older equipment, some of which still contain vacuum-tube technology,” said Lt. Col. Johnny McGonigal, commander of the 729th Air Control Squadron at Hill Air Force Base in Utah, whose unit operates the Tipsy 75 and will field the 3DELRR. “We’re really going from the analog age to digital, and that’s going to make us even more effective.”
The Air Force plans to buy a total of 35 3DELRRs. The new radar will be transportable by air, rail, ship or truck.