The US Army and Northrop Grumman have installed the enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea.
The deployment will improve battle-space awareness and missile defence.
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It marks the completion of the JTAGS modernisation programme phase one. In 1997, it was first fielded in tactical shelters to offer in-theatre missile warning with data collected from satellite sensors.
JTAGS receives and processes information directly downlinked from the Defense Support Program and other infrared satellite sensors from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites.
Leveraging several communications networks, the system provides the theatre with near-real-time warnings, alerting and data about ballistic missiles launches, and other actions of strategic interest.
Northrop Grumman combat systems and mission readiness vice-president and general manager Kenn Todorov said: “This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering missile warning and defence capabilities to protect our joint warfighters and allies.
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By GlobalData“JTAGS is vital to warfighters and of growing importance as we create true Joint All-Domain Command and Control systems, especially as we find new ways to integrate and leverage space-based assets.”
Northrop Grumman and the army have installed the JTAGS Block II in Japan, Qatar, Italy and the Republic of Korea under phase one.
Phase one included updated hardware, software and communication systems and improvements to cybersecurity and the soldier-machine interface.
The company is currently carrying out the JTAGS Pre-planned Product improvement (P3I) modernisation programme phase two.
In May 2018, the US Army in collaboration with Northrop Grumman, installed enhanced JTAGS capabilities in Japan to improve battle-space awareness and early missile warning system.
