|
-Description |
Overview (U):(U) PAVE PAWS is an Air Force Space Command radar system operated by four 21st Space Wing squadrons for missile warning and space surveillance. The PAVE PAWS radar located at Beale Air Force Base (AFB), CA, is one of four PAVE PAWS radars. The other three are located at Eldorado Air Force Station (AFS), TX; Cape Cod AFS, MA; and Robins AFB, GA. |
(U) PAVE PAWS (Phased Array Warning System) at Beale provides the Northwest segment of the U.S. PAVE PAWS network. The PAVE PAWS radar provides warning and attack assessment of SLBM and ICBM attacks against North America and provides support to the Space Surveillance Network. The PAVE PAWS Northwest site is a 2-Faced Phased Array Radar run by the 7th Space Warning Squadron located at Beale Air Force Base, CA. The system reached IOC in Nov 79.
(U) The unique aspect of this radar system is the dual-faced phased array antenna technology. This system differs from a mechanical radar, which must be physically aimed at an object in space to track or observe it. The phased array antenna is in a fixed position and is part of the exterior building wall. Phased array antenna aiming, or beam steering is done rapidly by electronically controlling the timing, or phase of the incoming and outgoing signals. Controlling the phase through the many segments of the antenna system allows the beam to be quickly projected in different directions. This greatly reduces the time necessary to change the beam direction from one point to another, allowing almost simultaneous tracking of multiple targets while maintaining the surveillance responsibility.
(U) The large fixed antenna array using its beam focusing, improves system sensitivity and tracking accuracy. A phased array antenna, as any other directional antenna, receives signals from space only in the direction in which the beam is aimed. The maximum practical deflection on either side of antenna center of the phased array beam is 60 degrees. This limits the coverage from a single antenna face to 120 degrees. To provide surveillance across the horizon, the building housing the entire system and supporting antenna arrays is constructed in the shape of a triangle. The two building faces supporting the arrays, each covering 120 degrees, are therefore be able to monitor 240 degrees. The array faces are also tilted back 20 degrees to allow for an elevation deflection from three to 85 degrees above the horizon. The lower limit provides receiver isolation from signals returned from ground clutter and for environmental microwave radiation hazard protection of the local area.
(U) The radar system is capable of detecting and monitoring a great number of targets that would be consistent with a massive SLBM attack. The system rapidly discriminates between vehicle types, calculating their launch and impact points in addition to the scheduling, data processing and communications requirements. The operation is entirely automatic, requiring people only for monitoring, maintenance, and as a final check the validity of warnings. Three different computers communicating with each other form the heart of the system, which relays the information to Cheyenne Mountain AFB.
(U) Loss of this capability would have a significant impact on the Space Surveillance Network (SNN).
(U) Operational.
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Beale | Beale Pave Paws |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| PAVE PAWS | PAVE Phased Array Warning System (PAWS) |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Collateral Sensors | Collateral Sensors |
| PAVE PAWS | PAVE PAWS |
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| SPACE CONTROL: S.S. NETWORK | SPACE CONTROL: SPACE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK |
| SURVEILLANCE AND WARNING | SPACE FORCE ENHANCEMENT: SURVEILLANCE AND WARNING |
(U) None.
Air Force.
(U) AFMC/SSSG/ND (SND C2 SPO)
(U) Robert Frank, Open Phone: None..
(U) 12 November 1997
(U) Road Map Production Date: 23 June 2001