At a time marked by intensified activities in outer space, LeoLabs has announced the operational debut of its newest space tracking radar system. The first unit of this system is already set to participate in Valiant Shield, a major multinational military exercise conducted by U.S. forces in the Pacific region.
Technological debut during the multinational Valiant Shield exercise
The Scout-S system, recently deployed in Hawaii, became fully operational in June 2026. It will play a crucial role in experimental activities during the Valiant Shield 2026 exercise, coordinated by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. The radar’s participation in this context allows for the evaluation of 3D sensing capabilities in operationally relevant environments, providing a clear vision of how transportable technology can support Allied space superiority.
Mobility and precision packed into a standard shipping container
The innovative design of the Scout-S allows the entire system to fit into a standard 20-foot ISO container, facilitating rapid deployment by land, sea, or air. Developed through a combination of private investment and support from the Space Force, the new radar utilizes 3D scanning technology and a modular S-band electronic design. These technical advancements significantly improve the monitoring of objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) and very low Earth orbit (VLEO), extending observation durations from seconds to several minutes per orbital pass.
Monitoring suspicious activities and adversary maneuvers in real time
The ability to maintain „persistent custody” of space objects is essential in the current climate, where simply predicting orbits is no longer enough. Scout-S allows operators to detect satellite maneuvers, identify payload deployments, and distinguish routine activity from potential threats. The system has already demonstrated remarkable results by consistently monitoring Yaogan military reconnaissance satellites and China’s spaceplane, providing precise data even at low altitudes of 230 kilometers.
Expansion plans and the future of mass production in 2027
The radar unit in Hawaii will remain active following the conclusion of the Valiant Shield exercise, serving as a platform for real-world testing and future experimentation. The success of this first unit paves the way for rapid network proliferation, aimed at closing coverage gaps left by current fixed-site radars. According to strategic plans, a second Scout-S unit is expected to be completed by early 2027, with production set to ramp up significantly in the latter half of that year.
