Cobra Dane
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The AN/FPS-108 Cobra Dane radar is a phased array installation at Eareckson Air Station on the island of Shemya, Alaska. This radar system was built in 1976 and brought on-line in 1977 for the primary mission of intelligence gathering in support of verification of the SALT II arms limitation agreement. Its single 29 m diameter antenna faces the Kamchatka Peninsula and is in an excellent position to monitor test launches into Kamchatka and ballistic missile attacks on North America launched from the north Pacific Rim.
In September 2005, Cobra Dane was tested to support the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system. During the test, data was sent from the facility to missile defense fire control systems. This data could be used to create a solution for launching an interceptor missile.
Like other radars tracking ballistic missiles, data from the radar is sent to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) at Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center. It is also listed as a partner of the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office.
[edit] See also
- Eareckson Air Station, Shemya island, Alaska
- US radar systems
- Specific US radar and locations
