Raytheon demonstrates expeditionary version of landing system

Raytheon has demonstrated a land-based deployable version of its ship-based precision landing system that is currently used to guide F-35Bs onto ships in all weather.

Raytheon demonstrated the joint precision approach and landing system (JPALS) for the first time to US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps officials at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona.

The proof-of-concept event showed how the GPS-based system could be reconfigured into a mobile version to support landings in a traditional airport setting.

Raytheon intelligence, information and services business vice-president Matt Gilligan said: “The need for precision landings in harsh environments isn’t limited to one military service and one aeroplane.

“JPALS can help any fixed or rotary-wing aircraft land in rugged, low-visibility environments at austere bases worldwide.”

During the demonstration, the JPALS was used by F-35B pilots on the jet to connect with the expeditionary system on the ground from 200 nautical miles away.

The system guided the pilot from that location to a designated landing point on the runway.

Raytheon said that expeditionary JPALS supports the US Air Force’s desire to use bare-base locations for future flying operations.

The system is currently in five transit cases and could be repackaged for various small transit vehicles transportable by C-130. It can be fully operational in under 90 minutes, once on the ground.

Last month, Raytheon secured a contract from an unnamed Middle Eastern nation to deliver a mobile surveillance system that will be used to help the nation secure its borders, military bases and critical infrastructure.