AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR system approved for LRIP

Northrop Grumman has announced that its AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system has been approved for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) by the US Department of Defense (DoD).

The approval, granted by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development and Acquisition, was granted at the DoD acquisition event, Milestone C, in January.

Testing and assessment over the past twelve months in the littoral, desert and mountain environments has proved the system’s abilities to provide situational awareness against a variety of platforms, including fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned autonomous system platforms.

Jeffrey Palombo, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Land and Self Protection Systems Division, said: ‘G/ATOR has demonstrated operational capabilities that will fundamentally change how the [US] Marine Corps detects, tracks and engages a broad range of target sets.

‘This radar system joins the proud family of Northrop Grumman offerings for domestic and global customers for medium and long-range ground-based radars for multiple mission requirements. It's the most mature S-Band AESA, air-cooled ground radar system. The benefit of open architecture design and the ability to scale the system technology permits this product line to meet a multitude of ground and ship-based radar missions and capabilities.’

The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR is a mobile multi-mission radar system designed to fully support worldwide expeditionary requirements. Its multi-faceted detection and tracking capabilities enable engagement of a wide range of hostile threats, and offers robust air traffic control capabilities to enhance soldier safety.