U.S. Army's missile-fighting radar-blimp achieves critical milestone

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The East Coast is one step closer to being better defended against cruise missiles and drones.  Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) completed a series of laboratory tests that demonstrated the JLENS radar can be integrated into North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

JLENS is a system of two aerostats, or tethered blimps, that float 10,000 feet in the air. The helium filled aerostats, each nearly as long as a football field, carry powerful radars that can protect a territory roughly the size of Texas from airborne threats. JLENS provides 360-degrees of defensive radar coverage and can detect and track moving objects like cruise missiles, drones and airplanes from up to 340 miles away.

"The lab tests proved that information from JLENS can be converted into a format that can be used by NORAD's command and control system," said Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global Integrated Sensors business area. "With JLENS providing data to NORAD, our military will have a more accurate picture of what is flying in the National Capital Region's airspace, and be able to identify slow-and-low flying threats such as cruise missiles and drones."

One JLENS system is scheduled to be strategically emplaced at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., later this year to help defend the National Capital Region from airborne threats.  It will be under the control of NORAD-U.S. Northern Command, and operated by soldiers of the U.S. Army's A Battery, 3rd Air Defense Artillery.  

A second JLENS system is in strategic reserve, ready to be deployed anywhere in the world at the request of combatant commanders, should they require comprehensive cruise missile defense.

About JLENS

A JLENS system, known as an orbit, consists of ground equipment and an integrated radar system on two tethered, 80-yard aerostats, which fly at altitudes of 10,000 feet above sea level and remain aloft and operational for 30 days. This capability better enables commanders to defend against threats including cruise missiles, drones, and aircraft.  JLENS also provides ascent phase detection of tactical ballistic missiles and large-caliber rockets.

• JLENS completed developmental testing in December, 2013
• JLENS has demonstrated its ability to integrate with defensive systems and help Patriot, AMRAAM, NASAMS and Standard Missile 6 intercept cruise missile targets.
• JLENS proved it can detect and track short-range ballistic missiles in their boost phase during a series of tests in 2013.

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2013 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, security and civil markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 92 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cyber security and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon

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SOURCE Raytheon Company