The U.S. Army and Northrop Grumman Corporation have deployed enhanced Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) capabilities in South Korea to increase battlespace awareness and missile defense in the region, the company reported on Monday.
“This is a tremendous milestone in our decades-long mission of delivering missile warning and defense capabilities to protect our joint warfighters and allies,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman.
With the deployment, Northrop Grumman has completed phase one of the JTAGS modernization program. Phase one included the installation of JTAGS Block II in permanent facilities in Japan, Qatar, Italy and the Republic of Korea.
The modernization covered updates to hardware, software and communication systems, as well as enhancements to cybersecurity and the soldier-machine interface. The deployments included soldier training and exercise support capabilities.
JTAGS receives and processes data directly down-linked from the Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) constellation of satellites, including Defense Support Program and Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) sensors and other infrared satellite sensors.
After the data is received and processed, JTAGS will distribute near-real-time warning, alerting and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater, leveraging multiple communications networks.
Northrop Grumman has entered phase two of the JTAGS Pre-planned Product improvement (P3I) modernization program. In this phase, the company will deliver additional sensor processing capabilities and update software architecture.
“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,” Todorov added.
About Northrop Grumman
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.
