The US Marine Corps has recently begun mastering the first samples of a new modification of the AN / TPS-80 Ground / Air Task-Oriented Radar multifunctional radar. Previously, such radars only allowed monitoring the air situation, but the new model acquires other capabilities. In the foreseeable future, the KMP will be able to get one or two more variants of such a station with improved characteristics.
Promising replacement
Currently, the ILC is armed with several mobile radars for different purposes. They are intended for tracking the air situation in the interests of air defense, for air traffic control, for conducting reconnaissance of the ground situation or for counter-battery firing. According to current plans, all these systems will give way to the new multifunctional AN / TPS-80 Ground / Air Task-Oriented Radar (G / ATOR) radar in the foreseeable future.
The development of a universal radar station started in 2005, and Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems received a corresponding contract worth $ 7.9 million. In the future, the project faced the problem of cost overruns, but it was possible to continue it, albeit with some changes. Design work was completed in 2013-14.
In October 2014, a contract appeared for the small-scale production of the first version of the radar in the interests of the ILC. In the future, new agreements were concluded for the supply of small quantities of radars with various changes. According to the plans of the command, a total of 57 AN / TPS-80 radars will be produced.
Modules and modifications
Radar G / ATOR is intended for the ILC, which makes special demands on its mobility. The station is made in the form of three components on a wheeled chassis. These are the "Radar Equipment Group" (REG), the "Communications Equipment Group" (CEG) and the PEG Power System. CEG and PEG are based on car chassis. The REG antenna post is made on a wheeled trailer. When placed in position, the radar facilities are connected by cables. Deployment according to the standard relies on 45 minutes.
The configuration used allows the radar to be transported by military transport aircraft and helicopters in service with the United States. The C-130 aircraft independently transports all the facilities of the complex, while the CH-53 helicopters and MV-22 tiltrotors can only take on board one component of the station.
CEG and REG are three-dimensional S-band radars with an active phased array. The antenna has dimensions of 2, 5x4 m. The antenna rotation mechanism provides an all-round view in azimuth; sector of view in elevation - 60 °. Rotation speed - 30 rpm. In addition to the main tasks, REG performs the functions of a system for determining nationality. The maximum detection range of air targets is declared at 200 km. When working on artillery shells, this parameter is reduced to 70 km.
During the development of the project and the deployment of serial production, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems introduced new technologies aimed at improving performance and operational characteristics. So, since 2016, the AN / TPS-80 radars have been built using transmitting and receiving elements based on gallium nitride. This technology makes it possible to reduce the required capacity of power supply systems, as well as to increase the reliability of the AFAR. It is argued that its use will reduce the total cost of operating each radar for the entire life cycle by about $ 2 million. All radars, starting with the seventh, are being built with the use of new materials.
The development of the AN / TPS-80 G / ATOR multifunctional radar is divided into several stages. The customer's requirements for plant functions are being implemented gradually and are consistently implemented in different versions of the project. With each revision of the project, the radar acquires new functions, and the result of this will be the emergence of a system with a full set of capabilities.
The first version of the AN / TPS-80 Block I project offers a radar designed to monitor the air situation and ensure the combat operation of the air defense of the ILC. The Block II modification adds the Ground Locating Weapons Radar function to the software and allows reconnaissance of enemy artillery. GLWR mode provides search for mortar mines, artillery shells and unguided rockets at a distance of up to 70 km.
Modification requirements for Block III are unknown. Apparently, in this case, hardware or software updates are envisaged to enable observation of ground objects. According to some sources, the development of Block III may be postponed indefinitely or canceled altogether. The next project, AN / TPS-80 Block IV, will introduce the Expeditionary Airport Surveillance Radar mode and make G / ATOR an air traffic control station.
Production and operation
Low-volume production of the G / ATOR radar was launched several years ago. The first stations of the Block I version were built in 2015-16. Shortly thereafter, the implementation of the Block II project modifications began in production. The released samples were handed over to the customer for development and subsequent setting on duty.
In February last year, the ILC announced the achievement of the stage of initial operational readiness of the radar of the Block I modification. Thanks to this, the troops received a new means of monitoring the air situation. The newer AN / TPS-80 Block II station reached the same stage in March this year. The timing of the Block IV deployment has not yet been specified, but it will happen in the foreseeable future.
Thus, at the moment, units equipped with G / ATOR stations are capable of solving two main tasks. In its current form, AN / TPS-80 Block I / II can detect and track aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and all types of artillery ammunition. With the help of standard means of communication and control of the ILC, target designation data can be issued to both air defense fire weapons and artillery or aviation.
A few days ago it became known about the emergence of a new contract for the production of radar G / ATOR. This time, the KMP ordered equipment with a total value of $ 958 million. This amount includes the delivery of 30 Block II radars in a complete set, as well as the necessary spare parts and certain services for maintenance and modernization. Deliveries should be completed by January 2025.
Near future
According to current plans, the KMP will acquire and put on duty a total of 57 AN / TPS-80 radar stations in a few years. To date, several such complexes have been obtained and are being operated in combat units.
At the moment, radars of the Block II modification are in serial production. In the future, newer models will be supplied to the troops, and the equipment already in use will have to undergo modernization. Thus, by 2025, the KMP will have all the required number of the latest stations with all the necessary functions provided for in different versions of the project.
Due to the development of the new AN / TPS-80 G / ATOR radars, it is planned to decommission a number of other models capable of solving only one specific task. At the same time, not all radars will be replaced. So, the long-range AN / TPS-59 mobile station will remain in service. Such a radar is capable of monitoring the air situation within a radius of 750 km, and therefore it will be preserved. AN / TPS-59 and AN / TPS-80 will be used in parallel, complementing each other.
Due to the high mobility of the AN / TPS-80 G / ATOR radar, it will be possible to quickly transfer and deploy in the desired area. With their help, it is planned to organize the defense of troops and bases, airfields, etc. By interacting with anti-aircraft systems, artillery, aviation, etc., the new radar stations will be able to protect troops and bases from air or artillery attacks. At the same time, the organization of defense is simplified by using only one multifunctional radar instead of several older systems.
The re-equipment of parts of the US ILC has already begun and has led to some results. At the moment, no more than a dozen new radars have taken up combat duty, but in the future the situation will change. By the mid-twenties, it is planned to operate several dozen such systems with obvious benefits for the troops.
