WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The East Coast is
one step closer to being better defended against cruise missiles
and drones. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series
of laboratory tests that demonstrated the JLENS radar can be
integrated into North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD).
JLENS is a system of two aerostats, or tethered blimps, that
float 10,000 feet in the air. The helium filled aerostats, each
nearly as long as a football field, carry powerful radars that can
protect a territory roughly the size of Texas from airborne threats. JLENS provides
360-degrees of defensive radar coverage and can detect and track
moving objects like cruise missiles, drones and airplanes from up
to 340 miles away.
"The lab tests proved that information from JLENS can be
converted into a format that can be used by NORAD's command and
control system," said Raytheon's Dave
Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global
Integrated Sensors business area. "With JLENS providing data to
NORAD, our military will have a more accurate picture of what is
flying in the National Capital Region's airspace, and be able to
identify slow-and-low flying threats such as cruise missiles and
drones."
One JLENS system is scheduled to be strategically emplaced at
Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., later this year to help defend the
National Capital Region from airborne threats. It will be
under the control of NORAD-U.S. Northern Command, and operated by
soldiers of the U.S. Army's A Battery, 3rd Air Defense Artillery.
A second JLENS system is in strategic reserve, ready to be
deployed anywhere in the world at the request of combatant
commanders, should they require comprehensive cruise missile
defense.
About JLENS
A JLENS system, known as an orbit, consists of ground equipment
and an integrated radar system on two tethered, 80-yard aerostats,
which fly at altitudes of 10,000 feet above sea level and remain
aloft and operational for 30 days. This capability better enables
commanders to defend against threats including cruise missiles,
drones, and aircraft. JLENS also provides ascent phase
detection of tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber
rockets.
- JLENS completed developmental testing in December, 2013
- JLENS has demonstrated its ability to integrate with defensive
systems and help Patriot, AMRAAM, NASAMS and Standard Missile 6
intercept cruise missile targets.
- JLENS proved it can detect and track short-range ballistic
missiles in their boost phase during a series of tests in
2013.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a
history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon
provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration
and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and
command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well
as cyber security and a broad range of mission support
services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit
us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter
@Raytheon
Media Contact
Mike Nachshen
+1.520.269.5697
idspr@raytheon.com
SOURCE Raytheon Company