Did Iran Destroy US’s $1.1-Billion Ballistic Radar At Qatar Base? Satellite Images Confirm Damage

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 12:03 IST

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs shows scorched ground and signs of firefighting. This radar is one of only six in the world and provides critical long-range tracking for the US

Did Iran’s one-way attack drone or other projectile, significantly damage the U.S. Space Force’s AN/FPS-132 (Block 5) Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar System in Qatar, which is worth roughly $1.1 billion and is the largest radar operated by the United States in the Middle East?

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs has now confirmed the damage.

Iran’s strike and damage

The strike occurred on or around Saturday, February 28. The radar installation is located near Al-Khor (north of Al Udeid Air Base) in Qatar.

While the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed a “precision missile strike," other reports and open-source analysts suggested a low-cost one-way attack drone (potentially a Shahed variant) may have penetrated defenses during a saturated barrage of missiles and UAVs.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs reportedly shows scorched ground, debris, and signs of firefighting at the site.

The attack was part of Operation “True Promise 4," which Tehran described as retaliation for joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities. Other reported targets in this wave included the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters.

What does it mean strategically?

The system is valued at approximately $1.1 billion. This radar is one of only six in the world and provides critical long-range tracking (up to 5,000 km) for the U.S. and allies, supporting systems like THAAD and Patriot. Its loss reportedly reduces U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) sensor depth, compressing reaction timelines for missile defense across the Persian Gulf.

The AN/FPS-132 (Block 5) is a highly advanced, $1.1 billion Upgraded Early Warning Radar (UEWR) that serves as a cornerstone for long-range missile defense in the Middle East. Following the strikes on February 28, 2026, satellite imagery from Planet Labs reportedly shows damage to at least one of its radar faces.

Range and Coverage: The system has an operational range of approximately 5,000 km, allowing it to detect and track ballistic missiles shortly after launch from deep within foreign territory. Unlike older versions, the Block 5 in Qatar features three electronically steered phased-array faces, providing a full 360-degree surveillance azimuth.

Targeting and Discrimination: It operates in the UHF band and is designed to continuously track ballistic missiles and space objects. It generates high-fidelity trajectory data, impact predictions, and cueing information for interceptor systems like THAAD and Patriot.

Space Surveillance: Beyond missile warning, it supports the Space Surveillance Network (SSN) by tracking newly launched satellites and orbiting space debris.

Why it matters

The “Kill Chain" Anchor: Military analysts describe this radar as the “backbone" of the regional missile defense architecture. It is not a tactical point-defense sensor but a strategic-level tracker that builds the initial engagement picture.

Compressed Reaction Times: Its primary role is to provide “early warning". Targeting the sensor layer is a tactical choice intended to reduce the reaction window for U.S. and allied forces, making it harder to intercept subsequent waves of high-speed missiles.

Location: Positioned near Al-Khor in northern Qatar, it complements the massive Al Udeid Air Base, which serves as the central hub for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operations.

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