Rob Cross, an official at the U.S. Marine Corps Program Executive Office for Land Systems, recently said that Block 1 of the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar is now undergoing initial operational test and evaluation, USNI News reported Tuesday.
G/ATOR, developed by defense contractor Northrop Grumman, is the Marine Corps’ next-generation radar system designed to detect incoming airborne threats like drones, missiles and artillery. Block 1 is meant to provide air defense and air surveillance capabilities.
Cross made the remarks at the recently-concluded 2018 Modern Day Marine expo, where he noted that G/ATOR Block 2, which will provide ground counter-battery capabilities, will soon undergo its test and evaluation phase as well.
The PEO official added that the Common Aviation Command and Control System, which will work in tandem with G/ATOR, is now in the sustainment phase.
CAC2S, developed by General Dynamics Mission Systems, “integrates information from various aerial and ground-based radar systems and sensors to enable a common, real-time air picture.â€