The U.S. Air Force has awarded BAE Systems a contract modification to continue the company’s operations and maintenance support services for the Solid State Phased Radar System (SSPARS).

The modification award, which extends the work on a 12-year contract for another year is valued at $46 million. The total contract value for BAE Systems’ support of SSPARS, from its original award in 2006 through the completion of the contract in 2018, is estimated at approximately $550 million.

Under the terms of the contract, BAE Systems will continue supporting the U.S. Air Force’s 21st Space Wing (the Air Force unit responsible for providing missile warning and space surveillance awareness in defense of the United States and its allies) through 2018.

“Providing missile defense and space surveillance for the United States, Canada, and our allies is a very important mission,” said DeEtte Gray, President of BAE Systems’ Intelligence & Security sector. “Our teams have deep knowledge of each site radar and system, and we look forward to helping ensure our customer continues to successfully achieve their vital mission.”

BAE Systems will maintain around-the-clock operations and maintenance support at each SSPARS site location. SSPARS is comprised of five radar sites in the Northern Hemisphere: Beale Air Force Base, California; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Massachusetts; Clear Air Force Station, Alaska; Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom; and Thule Air Base, Greenland.

These sites provide the U.S. Air Force with capabilities such as sea‐launched ballistic missile warning; ballistic missile early warning and space surveillance; ground‐based midcourse defense programs; maintenance for military satellite communications systems; communications-electronic systems; and precision measurement equipment calibration and maintenance.