Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Space Force (USSF) have marked a major milestone in space surveillance with the first successful demonstration of the Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) at Site 1 in Western Australia.

 

The recent trial – conducted in partnership with the USSF Space Systems Command, alongside allies in the UK and Australia – saw seven of the site’s 27 ground-based antennas operate as a single, unified radar array. This allowed the system to track and characterise the movement of multiple satellites simultaneously with unprecedented precision.

 

The demonstration confirms the effectiveness of DARC’s precision radar tracking technologies and moves the programme closer to achieving full operational capability at the Australian site.

 

Key outcomes from the demo:

• Seven antennas were integrated and calibrated to function as one system – marking a significant technical step forward for the site.
• The system successfully tracked spacecraft that could pose potential threats to U.S. or allied space assets.
• A multi-week data collection and calibration campaign verified operational readiness and sustained system performance.

A New Era in Space Domain Awareness

DARC is designed as a global, all-weather radar system capable of detecting and tracking very small objects in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). Once complete, it will provide unmatched surveillance coverage for U.S. and allied satellites, enhancing early warning, threat assessment and orbital safety.

 

The initiative is a trilateral effort between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, aimed at protecting critical space-based services. By using multiple ground-based antennas working in coordination, DARC delivers unprecedented precision in monitoring objects moving in, to and from GEO.

 

Northrop Grumman emphasised that this first-of-its-kind demonstration showcases a scalable radar capability that will significantly enhance the USSF’s Space Domain Awareness mission — offering reliable performance across all weather conditions and all hours of operation.