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In co-operation with Northrop Grumman, the US Army has deployed enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station capabilities in South Korea’s capital.
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The US Army and Northrop Grumman have enhanced South Korea’s battlespace awareness and missile defence capabilities after deploying a Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTGS) in Seoul, South Korea.
This deployment of the JTAGS marks the completion of phase one of the modernisation program.
The system was first fielded in tactical shelters in 1997, providing in-theatre missile warning using data directly from satellite sensors.
“This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering missile warning and defence capabilities to protect our joint warfighters and allies,” Kenn Todorov, Northrop Grumman’s vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, said.
“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.”
JTAGS is designed to receive and process data directly down-linked from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites, including Defense Support Program and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) sensors, as well as other infrared satellite sensors.
The ground station then disseminates near-real-time warning, alerting and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events throughout the theatre using multiple communications networks.
As part of the phase one modernisation effort, Northrop Grumman and the US Army have installed JTAGS Block II in permanent facilities in Japan, Qatar, Italy and the Republic of Korea, with updates to hardware, software and communication systems, and enhancements to cyber security and the soldier-machine interface.
The deployments also involved soldier training and exercise support capabilities.
Northrop Grumman has commenced phase two of the JTAGS Pre-planned Product Improvement (P3I) modernisation program, delivering additional sensor processing capabilities and updating software architecture.
Northrop Grumman has been the JTAGS prime contractor since 1994, responsible for developing, fielding, maintaining and enhancing the system worldwide.
[Related: Northrop Grumman tapped for US Army, Navy radar upgrade]
