Missile defense radar arrives in Alaska

February 9th, 2007

Anchorage, Alaska - A large $900 million sea-based X-band radar that was stuck in Hawaii for months has finally made its way to Alaska.

The radar platform weighs almost 50,000 tons and will be set up at Adak in the Aleutian Islands with a crew of around 75.

The powerful radar will be used as part of the national missile defense program.

The radar was constructed at two Texas shipyards and weighs almost 50,000 tons. It departed Pearl Harbor on Jan. 3 after going through sea trials and exercises.

During its trip to Alaska, the Missile Defense Agency said the radar survived several winter storms in the Pacific Ocean. It encountered waves of more than 50 feet and wind gusts more than 100 mph.