That's the US's newest inovation in radar. It is basicly a floating radar deck that can be moved anywhere in the world by water. The US hopes to have 10 of these within the next 5 years. They are capable of detecting movements and survailence (sp?) in conjunction with their sister satelites in real time as well as super ultra listening.
Found this, but talks different than the report I watched on it last week.........
Powerful new radar visits PearlBy Audrey McAvoy
Associated Press
HONOLULU ? The military is taking strict security measures to protect an imposing visitor that arrived Monday at Pearl Harbor ? a $900 million floating missile defense radar rig taller than a 20-story building.
The 280-foot tall Sea-Based X-band Radar is so powerful it can identify baseball-sized objects from thousands of miles away.
The Coast Guard is prohibiting anyone without prior permission from entering a 500-yard security zone around the ship. Those who violate the restriction may be fined up to $10,000 and have their vessel seized, the Missile Defense Agency said.
The radar is designed to tell the difference between decoys and real missile warheads, making it a critical component of the U.S. military?s effort to track and intercept missiles that may target the United States or its allies.
The floating radar will be based at Adak, a tiny outpost in Alaska halfway between Tokyo and Seattle. But it will also be able to sail anywhere in the Pacific to go where its tracking capabilities are most needed.
The Missile Defense Agency said the radar would feed data to the military to help it fire interceptor missiles from Alaska and California if the United States came under a long-range missile attack.
The radar platform sailed from Texas aboard the MV Blue Marlin on a route taking it around the southern tip of South America since it was too big to fit through the Panama Canal.
Though it is capable of sailing by itself, it rode aboard the Blue Marlin to save time and to avoid wear and tear.
The radar will undergo minor modifications at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard before leaving for Alaska in the spring.
The radar is the latest example of the military?s efforts to boost the nation?s missile defenses.
Last month, the military installed new interceptors in underground silos in Alaska and California.
Over the next three years, 18 ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet will be equipped with the ability to intercept mid-range missiles.
These ships will also be equipped with the technology to track long-range missiles.
