The new Space Fence was envisioned to be a system of two or three S-band ground-based radars designed to perform uncued detection, tracking and accurate measurement of orbiting space objects, and was intended to replace the Air Force Space Surveillance System, or VHF Fence, that was transferred from the US Navy to the US Air Force in 2004.
The new Space Fence was designed as a radar system capable of detecting, tracking, and measuring orbiting space objects without cues. Its purpose was to take over from the VHF Fence, which had been managed by the US Navy before being transferred to the Air Force in 2004.