Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD)

The U.S. Space Force is procuring modernization and digitization services for critical missile defense radar systems through the Ground Based Radar Digitization (GBRD) Program, managed by the Department of the Air Force Materiel Command Lifecycle Management Center at Peterson Air Force Base. The procurement encompasses the upgrade of five Upgraded Early Warning Radars (UEWR) and the Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System (PARCS) through a Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping approach utilizing an Other Transaction Agreement. Key objectives include implementing digital engineering, DevSecOps, and open systems architecture to enhance battlespace awareness, reduce sustainment costs, resolve obsolescence challenges, and establish improved cybersecurity and interoperability across missile warning, missile defense, and space domain awareness missions. The government will utilize a phased, gated award process with three sequential gates: requirements development, system architecture and design, and deployment/testing/operational acceptance, with evaluation criteria focusing on mature technologies including Digital Signal Processors, Radar Resource Managers, and Beam Steering Controllers, along with emphasis on open architecture and modularity. Critical dates include an optional abstract submission deadline of February 25, 2026, Request for Prototype Proposal materials due March 16, 2026, oral presentations beginning March 23, 2026, and an overall solicitation deadline of April 1, 2026.

This solicitation carries no small business set-aside designation and represents an open competition with 63 interested vendors identified as of January 16, 2026, including major defense contractors such as Lockhawk Martin, L3Harris Technologies, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Booz Allen Hamilton. The program anticipates multiple awards across the three gates with an initial Gate 1 budget of approximately $3 million for requirements development, followed by Gate 2 funding of approximately $270 million for system architecture and design, and Gate 3 production funding of approximately $440 million for deployment, testing, and operational acceptance. The procurement strategy involves prototyping solutions at two initial sites—one UEWR location and PARCS—before proceeding with rapid fielding production to the remaining UEWR locations. All performance will take place in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the modernization program designed to replace disparate operating systems across multiple radar sites and establish a near-common automation platform to enhance system efficiency and interoperability.