AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar

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AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar
File:USMC-16064.jpg
Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) prototype at Quantico Marine Base, September 2010
Country of origin United States
Introduced 2016 (Planned)
Type Short/Medium Range Multi-Role Radar System
Frequency 2–4 GHz
Other Names G/ATOR

The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is the United States Marine Corps next generation Air Surveillance/Air Defense and Air Traffic Control (ATC) Radar. The mobile active electronically scanned array radar system is currently being developed by Northrop Grumman and is expected to reach initial operating capability in August 2016.[1]

Mission and Description

The Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is a single material solution for the mobile Multi-Role Radar System and Ground Weapons Locating Radar (GWLR) requirements. It is a three-dimensional, short/medium range multi-role radar designed to detect unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles, air breathing targets, rockets, artillery, and mortars. G/ATOR satisfies the warfighter's expeditionary needs across the Marine Air-Ground Task Force spectrum replacing five legacy radar systems with a single solution.[1][2] The five Marine Corps legacy radar systems being replaced by this multi-function capability include: the AN/TPS-63 (air defense), AN/TPS-73 (air-traffic control), AN/MPQ-62 (short range air defense), AN/TPQ-46 (counter-fire target acquisition) and UPS-3 (target tracking).[3] Additionally, it will augment the AN/TPS-59 long-range radar.[4]

The Program Executive Office (PEO), Land Systems Marine Corps is executing the G/ATOR program as an evolutionary acquisition program consisting of four capabilities, referred to as blocks.[1][4]

  • Block 1 will complete the primary material system acquisition and can support the short-range air defense and air surveillance mission, as well as provide an Air Defense/Surveillance Radar (AD/SR) capability to the MAGTF Commander.
  • Block 2 will include software to perform the missions of ground counter-battery/fire control (Ground Locating Weapons Radar).
  • Block 3 capabilities are not currently defined or resourced, and have been deferred indefinitely.
  • Block 4 will provide air traffic control capabilities (Expeditionary Airport Surveillance Radar).
File:GATOR.png
G/ATOR System Configuration

G/ATOR provides real-time radar measurement data to the Tactical Air Operations Module, Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S), Composite Tracking Network, and Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System.[5]

The G/ATOR baseline system configuration consists of three subsystems:[4]

  • Communications Equipment Group (CEG). The CEG provides the ability to communicate with and control the radar and is mounted on a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle.
  • Radar Equipment Group (REG). The REG consists of the phased-array radar mounted on an integrated trailer. The trailer is towed by the Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR).
  • Power Equipment Group (PEG). The PEG includes a 60-kilowatt generator and associated power cables mounted on a pallet. The generator pallet is carried by the MTVR.

Development

Development of the G/ATOR began in September 2005 when the Marine Corps awarded a $7.9 million contract to Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. Initial design requirements required planning for short-range air surveillance, counter-battery fire and target acquisition, and sensor networking. The requirement also required Block 1 to allow for incremental implementation of the following blocks without equipment or software redesign.[5]

In 2009, a $14 million cost overrun for the G/ATOR, attributed to requirements creep and increasing cost of scarce materials required in advanced electronic components. In 2012 the Marine Corps and Northrop Grumman began Block 2 development, beginning with upgrading the Block 1 equipment and software for performing GWLR requirements.[5][6]

The G/ATOR program obtained a successful Milestone C decision in March 2014. In October 2014, a 207.3 million dollar low rate initial production (LRIP) contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman for the first lot of four systems.[5][7] In March 2015, another contract worth $113 million was awarded to produce two additional systems to be delivered in October 2017.[6][8]

In September 2015, the Marine Corps awarded Northrop Grumman a 58.7 million dollar contract to incorporate and test the GWLR mode for the G/ATOR.[9]

A total of 57 G/ATOR systems are planned for procurement.[1][4]

Main characteristics

  • Multipurpose Tracking & Surveillance Radar
  • Proven S-band (2–4 GHz), 3D Radar
  • Detects fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs
  • Performs ATC and fire finder roles
  • High mobility, transportability, and reliability
  • The entire system can be airlifted into an operational site by three CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters or MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, or by a single C-130 transport.
  • The system is required to be set up on-site within 45 minutes.
  • Provides identification of friendly aircraft using a Telephonics UPX-44 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) integrated with the main radar.

Nomenclature

Per the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the nomenclature AN/TPS-80 is thus derived:

  • "AN/" indicating Army/Navy(Marines) -- a system nomenclature derived from the JETDS
  • "T" for 'transportable', indicating it is carried by, but not an integral part of, a vehicle (compare with 'V' for vehicle-mounted)
  • "P" indicating a RADAR
  • "S" is for Detecting, Range and Bearing, Search
  • "80" is the 80'th version of this family of TPS radars

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the U.S. Department of Defense.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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