Floating missile defense radar to get maintenance and upgrade from Boeing

Posted by John McHaleSEATTLE, 14 May 2011. The floating Sea-based X-band Radar (SBX) will start its maintenance and upgrade program with Boeing in Seattle. SBX is an ocean-going radar that identifies, tracks, and assesses the flight characteristics of ballistic missile threats. It provides an advanced capability to the overall ballistic missile defense system for the U.S.The U.S. Missile Defense Agency awarded Boeing a $27.1 million sole-source contract in April for the shipyard maintenance efforts, which are scheduled to be completed in August. Boeing has been the prime contractor for the SBX since 2003 and is responsible for all development, integration, testing, and operations for the vessel platform and radar.