Northrop Grumman’s GaN-based G/ATOR AESA radar system passes initial operational test & evaluation

Northrop Grumman Corp, in partnership with the United States Marine Corps, has passed an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) Blocks 1 and 2. Northrop Grumman’s AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR is a multi-mission active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that provides comprehensive real-time, 360° situational awareness.

To date, eight AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR production systems have been delivered to the Marine Corps. In early 2017, Northrop Grumman delivered six low-rate initial production systems. The first systems incorporating gallium nitride (GaN) technology were delivered ahead of schedule in July 2018 and were used for development test (DT) 1E1, DT1E2 and IOT&E.

IOT&E is a rigorous phase of testing that a new system undergoes to determine that it is operationally effective and suitable for fleet introduction. The milestone demonstrates viability and suitability of the system, and completion indicates the Marine Corps is ready to operate and field G/ATOR Blocks 1 and 2 in their current configuration. The commitment of both the Marine Corps and G/ATOR team to deliver an operationally effective, 360° AESA radar system will ensure that warfighters can detect – and take action against – complex, modern threats, Northrop Grumman says.

“Through our close partnership with the Marine Corps, we have been able to successfully achieve the IOT&E milestone and begin fielding this radar system with unrivaled mission capability to operational units,” says Christine Harbison, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman. “We are proud to deliver hardware-enabled, software-defined advanced ground radar systems that meet our customer’s mission needs, protect the warfighter in a rapidly changing threat environment, and have significant margin for capability growth.”

See related items:

Northrop Grumman delivers first GaN G/ATOR system to US Marine Corps

Northrop Grumman-built GaAs-based G/ATOR system approved for early fielding, prior to full-rate production of GaN-based systems

Northrop Grumman delivering first GaN-based G/ATOR systems under latest LRIP award

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