G/ATOR (Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar) - Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar Production Ramps Up

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:00:00 GMT

Photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps photos, released

BALTIMORE – Sept. 2, 2021 – (PHOTO RELEASE) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered its 15th AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mission radar system to the U.S. Marine Corps, completing the low-rate initial production phase of the program. The team recently fielded the first full-rate production system to the Marine Corps and will continue deliveries through 2024. Providing enhanced mission capabilities, software upgrades and logistics support are expected to continue through G/ATOR’s 30-year lifetime.

For more information about G/ATOR, please click here.

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Seeing Double

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:00:00 GMT

On the modern, dynamic battlefield, agility and connectivity are decisive advantages. Agile and networked warfighters who rapidly adapt to changing adversary tactics, techniques and technologies in real time can outmaneuver and win.

The same goes for the weapon systems those warfighters employ. Modern, software-defined weapon systems that feature multi-functionality and adaptability are needed so that they can continually evolve to counteract new threats.

A Digital-First Sensor

The Marine Corps’ premier air defense radar, the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) – developed and produced by Northrop Grumman – is one such weapon system. A digital-first sensor, the AN/TPS-80 cyclically receives capability updates with every software load. Its hardware is being improved too – such as transitioning to higher-performance gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor components from gallium arsenide (GaAs) and by adding transmit/receive modules for longer-range capability.

Northrop Grumman invested in the AN/TPS-80 to become even more agile by creating a digital transformation roadmap and completing initial versions of a digital model or “digital twin” where new software or engineering changes can be developed, demonstrated and deployed in a virtual environment before fielding.

“We’re embracing digital transformation throughout the system lifecycle to deliver solutions with the agility, speed and affordability that our customers require while pushing the bounds of physics,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman. “With integrated digital technologies and models, and investments in creating a digital twin, what previously could take years to deploy to the field can be reduced to hours.”

This adaptability of the AN/TPS-80 was demonstrated in a number of field trials and system tests conducted over the past year. At a U.S. government test range, engineers assessed the radar’s ability to withstand varying electronic attack techniques. Northrop Grumman’s engineering team was able to detect and respond to those electronic attacks by implementing countermeasures through software updates in mere hours as compared to days.

The AN/TPS-80 is in full-rate production for the Marine Corps. The service recently awarded Northrop Grumman $236.9 million for eight additional systems.

Value of Connectivity

When multifunction sensors like AN/TPS-80 are securely networked together instead of operating independently, situational awareness and mission effectiveness is significantly enhanced for warfighters operating across all domains. This connectivity goes beyond Marine Corps operations by delivering a 360-degree, multi-dimensional view of the airspace to all of the services.

In the context of the government’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) initiatives, all radars operating in theatre – regardless of which service owns them – become a sensing node in the larger, multi-domain warfighting internet of military things (IoMT).

“Creating a secure, open and truly integrated communications network architecture will be critical to maintaining the strategic advantage needed in the age of data-driven conflict,” said Jenna Paukstis, vice president, communications solutions, Northrop Grumman. “Northrop Grumman’s leading advanced networking and sensor technologies will be foundational elements to helping the DOD create this interoperability through rapid deployment of capabilities to realize its vision for JADC2.”

Northrop Grumman is leading the way in enabling that connectivity through the design and delivery of open architecture, platform agnostic, all-domain technologies, including its integrated Communications, Navigation and Identification solutions; software-defined Freedom radios and gateway systems; cutting-edge information assurance and multi-level security offerings; advanced waveform technologies; and other emerging IoMT applications.

To learn more about how Northrop Grumman is defining possible in digital technology, visit Northrop Grumman's Digital Transformation.

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US Marine Corps Orders Additional Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-80 Radars

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – Feb. 5, 2020 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received an order from the U.S. Marine Corps for two additional AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) systems as part of the full-rate production Lot 2 award received in December 2019. This order completes the planned Lot 2 procurement for a total of eight systems for the Marine Corps.

“We are continuing to provide an advanced, multi-mission capability that meets the evolving needs of our customers,” said Mike Meaney, vice president, land and maritime sensors, Northrop Grumman. “This order also enables us to keep the G/ATOR production pipeline full in anticipation for a Lot 3 award next year.”

In June 2019, the Marine Corps awarded Northrop Grumman a $958 million full-rate production contract for 30 of the Gallium Nitride-based (GaN) G/ATOR systems.

Northrop Grumman solves the toughest problems in space, aeronautics, defense and cyberspace to meet the ever evolving needs of our customers worldwide. Our 90,000 employees define possible every day using science, technology and engineering to create and deliver advanced systems, products and services.

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Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract to Provide Marine Corps Full-Rate Production G/ATOR Radar Systems

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 18:45:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – June 10, 2019 – The U.S. Marine Corps has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $958 million contract for Lot 6 full-rate production of the Gallium Nitride-based (GaN) AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) systems. This contract provides an additional 30 units. The program is managed by Program Executive Officer Land Systems.

“Northrop Grumman and the Marine Corps have successfully partnered to create a best of ground and airborne radar solution that exceeds the current threat on the modern battlefield,” said Christine Harbison, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman. “G/ATOR is a crucial capability that protects our warfighters and defends against today’s threat environment and the threat environment of the future. We are excited to reach the full-rate production decision and continue providing advanced multi-mission functionality that meets our customer’s mission needs, protects the warfighter in a rapidly changing threat environment, and has significant margin for capability growth.”

G/ATOR replaces five legacy systems operated by the Marine Corps with a single system, providing significant improvements in performance when compared to the legacy radar families in each of its modes. This results in reduced training, logistics and maintenance costs.

The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR is an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mission radar that leverages GaN to provide comprehensive real time, full-sector, 360-degree situational awareness against a broad array of threats. The highly expeditionary, three-dimensional, short-to-medium-range multi-role radar system is designed to detect, identify, and track cruise missiles, manned aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles as well as rockets, mortars and artillery fire.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman’s G/ATOR Passes Initial Operational Test and Evaluation

Mon, 13 May 2019 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – May 13, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), in partnership with the United States Marine Corps, recently passed a successful 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 an advanced, multi-mission Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that provides comprehensive real time, 360 degree situational awareness.

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-degree AESA radar system will ensure our warfighters can detect – and take action against – complex, modern threats.

“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,” said 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.”

To date, eight production systems have been delivered to the Marine Corps. In early 2017, Northrop Grumman delivered six low rate initial production systems. The first Gallium Nitride systems were delivered ahead of schedule in July 2018 and were used for development test (DT) 1E1, DT1E2 and IOT&E.

For more information about G/ATOR, visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/GATOR/.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers First Gallium Nitride (GaN) G/ATOR System to US Marine Corps

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 18:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – July 26, 2018 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered the first AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) that incorporates advanced high power and high efficiency gallium nitride (GaN) antenna technology, further improving the system’s operational capabilities. This system was delivered ahead of schedule and is the seventh G/ATOR system delivered in the low rate initial production (LRIP) phase of the program.

Four G/ATOR systems preparing for fielding located at Northrop Grumman’s Stoney Run test range in Baltimore, Md.

GaN technology provides cost savings and multiple performance benefits including enhanced system sensitivity and increased reliability. All subsequent G/ATOR LRIP and full rate production systems will now incorporate this advanced GaN technology.

Delivery of the first GaN G/ATOR system follows the delivery of six LRIP systems to the Marines that began in early 2017. Utilizing two of those six systems, the Marine Corps achieved G/ATOR Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of the air surveillance mission in February of this year. The remaining four systems will establish IOC for the counter-battery mission later this year. As a result, G/ATOR systems, trained Marines and associated logistics support are now in operational service with Marines.

“The Marine Corps are the first to take delivery of a production ground based multi mission AESA radar that incorporates this advanced GaN technology,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, land & avionics C4ISR division, Northrop Grumman. “The incorporation of this advanced technology in production radars is unique to the Marine Corps and enables G/ATOR to provide additional mission capability to the warfighter at an affordable cost.”

Both the Marine Corps and Northrop Grumman continue to make detailed preparations to successfully execute the full rate production program, which is scheduled to begin in early 2019.

Additionally, given the AN/TPS-80’s open architecture design, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract through the Office of Secretary of Defense Strategic Capabilities Office in 2016 to support the addition of a fire control mission.

The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR is an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mission radar that provides comprehensive real time, 360 degree situational awareness against a broad array of threats including fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, unmanned autonomous systems (UAS), and rockets, artillery and mortar. It is rapidly deployable worldwide to meet United State Marine Corps needs and includes the latest cyber and digital beam forming technology that enables the radar to perform multi-mission tasks at significantly lower operation and maintenance costs compared to existing USMC radar systems.

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Northrop Grumman-Built G/ATOR Approved for Early Fielding

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 14:00:00 GMT

Rolling Meadows, Ill. – Feb. 28, 2018 – The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) 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.

G/ATOR undergoes cold weather testing, one of many steps in the rigorous process of ensuring that the radar is ready to support the Marines’ missions.

Early fielding, also known as Initial Operational Capability (IOC), is a significant milestone that 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 Gallium Arsenide 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 Gallium Nitride (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.”

Under a separate contract, Northrop Grumman will provide logistics support to the Marine Corps for G/ATOR systems.

For more information about G/ATOR, including downloadable photos, videos and more, visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/GATOR/.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Please visit news.northropgrumman.com and follow us on Twitter, @NGCNews, for more information.

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Northrop Grumman Delivers First G/ATOR Production System to US Marine Corps

Tue, 09 May 2017 15:30:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – May 9, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) delivered the first low rate initial production (LRIP) AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system to the U.S. Marine Corps.

Members of the G/ATOR program team – both from the U.S. Marine Corps and Northrop Grumman – along with other distinguished guests, attended a ceremony commemorating the first G/ATOR production system delivery on March 29 in Baltimore. Pictured here with one of the G/ATOR systems are Chief Warrant Officer 5 William Kelly (left), G/ATOR project officer from the U.S. Marine Corps, and Mark Smith, a director of business development for Northrop Grumman.

G/ATOR successfully completed the system acceptance test procedure – the last of the required milestones in the production test phase – ahead of schedule, enabling the company to deliver the system to the Marines to support their fielding schedule. The initial LRIP contract was awarded in October 2014. Five additional systems will be delivered under this award.

“Today’s threat environment, and the threat environment of the future, demands the unprecedented level of protection offered by the G/ATOR system,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman. “Through our strong partnership with the Marine Corps, Northrop Grumman is providing warfighters with capabilities that can outmatch any other system.”

G/ATOR replaces five legacy systems operated by the Marines, providing significant improvements in performance when compared with the legacy radar families in each of its modes. Software loads optimize the multi-mission capabilities of the radar to perform each mission. When all modes are fully implemented, an operator will be able to switch modes at the press of a button. The system has been designed to be light and compact for deployment, and for rapid emplacement by helicopter or vehicle. Its system architecture allows it to interface directly with multiple types of command and control systems on a plug-and-fight basis.

Northrop Grumman is a leader in the development of Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESA) systems and is also on contract to develop and test high-performance short- and medium-range radars for other Department of Defense ground and ship-based applications. The company's family of ground radar systems also includes the Highly Adaptable Multi-Mission Radar AESA system.

These radar systems take advantage of Northrop Grumman’s expertise in C4ISR. The company is a world leader in developing advanced, secure C4ISR systems that allow users to sense, share, collaborate, and act with greater speed and assurance.

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Northrop Grumman’s G/ATOR Successfully Completes Initial Integration Testing

Thu, 23 Feb 2017 14:58:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – Feb. 23, 2017 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the U.S. Marine Corps successfully completed an initial integration event (IIE) in November 2016 for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system.

The three-week IIE demonstrated G/ATOR’s ground weapon locating radar (GWLR) mode’s ability to detect and track multiple types of rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) rounds simultaneously. Over 40 different weapon scenarios were evaluated through the live fire event, and more than 700 live shots were fired, including a variety of RAM rounds. GWLR successfully tracked projectiles including volley fire between 6km and 50km, demonstrating G/ATOR’s long range capability. Volley fire capability is the ability to detect and track multiple RAM projectiles intentionally fired in very rapid sequence in an attempt to overwhelm radar capabilities.

“The volley fire capability that G/ATOR demonstrated is critical on the modern battlefield, and all of the data collected during IIE indicates that GWLR can exceed the U.S. Marine Corps’ range capability, ” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman.

“GWLR mode detects and tracks time-critical incoming threats, calculates an approximate impact point, and then tracks the threat’s trajectory back in time to estimate a firing position, allowing counterfire forces to engage rapidly,” said Roshan Roeder, vice president, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman. “The volley fire capability that G/ATOR demonstrated is critical on the modern battlefield, and all of the data collected during IIE indicates that GWLR can exceed the U.S. Marine Corps’ range capability.”

The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR system is multi-mission, performing four principal missions using the same hardware: short-range air defense, tactical air operations control, counterfire target acquisition (GWLR mode) and future air traffic control. GWLR mode adds software to the G/ATOR system to detect, track and identify RAM projectiles, both 360-degree and sector-only. The GWLR mode addresses multiple types of simultaneous threats. Adding this capability will allow G/ATOR to replace five legacy USMC radars.

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Northrop Grumman Awarded Contract for Nine GaN G/ATOR Systems

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 13:00:00 GMT

BALTIMORE– Sept. 6, 2016 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) received an award from the U.S. Marine Corps for an additional nine AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) low rate initial production (LRIP) systems.

Northrop Grumman will provide the U.S. Marine Corps nine additional AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) low rate initial production (LRIP) systems.

These nine additional systems and all subsequent G/ATOR systems incorporate advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, providing the Marine Corps with nearly $2 million in life cycle cost savings per system. GaN technology also provides a number of performance benefits including lower input power needs, higher efficiency and higher output power. This higher output power can substantially increase threat detection and tracking ranges for all four G/ATOR mission capabilities: air surveillance, weapon cueing, counter-fire target acquisition and air traffic control. Northrop Grumman is already on contract to provide six G/ATOR LRIP systems, the first of which will be delivered in February 2017.

“There are no other GaN ground-based active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars in production today,” said Roshan Roeder, director, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman. “G/ATOR is the first DoD ground-based AESA system to incorporate GaN in a production program. We proposed this technology as a cost savings measure for the government and funded risk reduction internally to ensure a seamless insertion into the G/ATOR system. We are continuing to look at future technology insertions to continue providing the best capability out there to our warfighters at an affordable cost.”

Northrop Grumman is a leader in the development of AESA radar systems and is also on contract to develop and test high-performance, short- and medium-range radars for additional DoD ground- and ship-based applications. The company's family of ground radar systems includes the AN/APG-83 Highly Adaptable Multi-Mission Radar (HAMMR) AESA system as well as the solid-state AN/TPS-78 and TPS-703 radar systems.

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Northrop Grumman Completes G/ATOR Block II Preliminary and Critical Design Reviews

Tue, 23 Aug 2016 18:45:00 GMT

BALTIMORE – Aug. 23, 2016 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the U.S. Marine Corps have achieved two major milestones in developing the Ground Weapon Locating Radar (GWLR) mode for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR).

The GWLR preliminary design review in February and critical design review in August marked the successful completion of the design reviews for the development of this capability. These reviews will be followed by an initial integration event (IIE) in October to perform initial testing of the system and take data on several targets to assist in the remaining integration work.

Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Marine Corps have achieved two major milestones in developing the Ground Weapon Locating Radar (GWLR) mode for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR).

The IIE will be an initial demonstration of G/ATOR’s ability to detect and track multiple types of rocket, artillery and mortar rounds simultaneously. G/ATOR has a significant output power advantage compared to current U.S. counter-fire target acquisition radars, equating directly to longer-range threat detection and tracking. This provides additional time to successfully engage and negate these threats with both current and future longer-range engagement weapons.

“It is critical that we deliver this capability to our warfighters on time and at an affordable cost,” said Roshan Roeder, director, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman. “Our unmatched experience in developing and fielding algorithms for the counter-fire targeting mission, combined with internally-funded risk reduction systems that have participated in nearly 1,000 live fire events prior to this contract award, ensured the successful completion of these reviews and support an initial operating capability for G/ATOR Block II in mid-2018.”

The GWLR mode adds software to the G/ATOR system to detect, track, and identify rocket, artillery, and mortar projectiles, both 360-degree and sector-only. The GWLR mode addresses multiple types of simultaneous threats.

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