Northrop Grumman G/ATOR Approved for Early Fielding
Six GaAs-based Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radars already delivered to US Marine Corps prior to full production GaN versions
Northrop Grumman's AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) has been approved for early fielding by the United States Marine Corps. This milestone follows the delivery of the final Lot 1 and Lot 2 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) G/ATOR system to the Marines.
The USMC will field their first two systems by delivering them to Marine Air Control Squadrons 1 and 2 for operational use.
Early fielding, also known as Initial Operational Capability (IOC), indicates that a system is ready for operational deployment. It is achieved when production systems, spares, logistic support items and documentation have been tested and validated through a rigorous process. As the developer and system integrator, Northrop Grumman has taken G/ATOR from concept through to production.
Northrop Grumman has delivered six G/ATOR systems with GaAs technology to the Marine Corps in Lots 1 and 2. Beginning with Lot 3 deliveries and including all Full Rate Production systems, G/ATOR will incorporate high power, high efficiency GaN antenna technology that can further enhance operational capabilities.
"Through our close partnership with the Marine Corps, we have been able to achieve this important early fielding milestone," said Roshan Roeder, vice president, land & avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. "We are looking ahead to full rate production and getting G/ATOR's unprecedented capabilities to the Marines in the field."
