Germany – Radar apparatus – German Tracking Radar

The objective of this project is the procurement of two tracking radars for the orbital tracking of objects in near-Earth orbits, one of which is to be offered as an option. The data generated will be processed by the DLR at the German Space Situational Awareness Centre and will serve as a contribution to the creation of a validated and verified orbital data catalogue. In addition to the aforementioned option to procure a further orbital tracking radar, the project includes further options for operational support and maintenance, for the procurement of a radome for protection against weather influences, for the availability of the source code, and for the connection and installation of measuring instruments for recording space weather effects. A significant part of this project is also the evaluation or provision of suitable locations, as well as the optional operational support and maintenance to be offered following procurement. It is not intended that major development activities will be carried out. However, the integration of market-available subsystems, such as antenna and radar technology, is possible if required. The project is to commence as of 01.09.2026. A project duration until approximately 2030 is envisaged. The following fundamental tasks of the project are to be carried out. They include the following main activities:

• Creation of a compliance matrix for the components of this specification

• Definition and documentation of the system

• Definition of the AITV process (Assembly, Integration, Testing, Verification) and creation of verification documents (Verification Control Documents, VCD)

• Conducting the site search with the involvement of the AG

• Joint site selection within the framework of an SSM

• Transport to and integration at the destination

• Conducting and completing the tests, qualification and verification (FAT and SAT)

• Creation of the manuals (PUM and SUM) and further delivery documents (e.g. maintenance plan, training materials)

Within the project, potential sites are to be identified, evaluated and a final site proposed, in close coordination with the DLR. If possible, site proposals can already be communicated. This may possibly accelerate the site search, but is no guarantee that these sites will be selected by the DLR. The execution of the project must therefore not be tied to own sites. For the site selected during the project, it must be guaranteed that there will be unrestricted and indefinite access to the system. It must be demonstrated by which specific legal structure the permanent availability of the site will be ensured. An admissible security instrument can be, for example, the establishment of a building lease, or comparable, legally recognised rights of use with equivalent legal effect in the respective legal space. For the site chosen during the project, it must be ensured that the connection to the power grid and the Internet remains available for indefinite use. This must also apply if there is a change of operational support and maintenance after the end of the project, contract terminations or other changes. The specification for the project is made available on the tendering platform without the detailed user requirements, which will only be published as part of the invitation to tender.