- News
2 March 2018
Northrop Grumman-built GaAs-based G/ATOR system approved for early fielding, prior to full-rate production of GaN-based systems
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Northrop Grumman Corp of Redondo Beach, CA, USA says that its AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) has been approved for early fielding by the US Marine Corps (USMC), following delivery of the final Lot 1 and Lot 2 Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) G/ATOR system. The USMC will field its first two systems by delivering them to Marine Air Control Squadrons 1 and 2 for operational use.
Early fielding - also known as Initial Operational Capability (IOC) - 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 (GaAs) 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,” says Roshan Roeder, VP, 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.
Northrop Grumman delivering first GaN-based G/ATOR systems under latest LRIP award
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