G/ATOR Block II completes CDR

Northrop Grumman and the US Marine Corps (USMC) have completed the preliminary design review (PDR) and critical design review (CDR) of the Ground Weapon Locating Radar (GWLR) mode for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), the company announced on 23 August.

The PDR was carried out on February and CDR in August, completing all design reviews and making way for an initial integration event (IIE) in October. Under the IIE, initial testing of the system will be carried out and data on several targets will be taken to assist in the remaining integration work.

The IIE will be an initial demonstration of G/ATOR’s ability to track and detect multiple types of mortar, artillery and rocket rounds simultaneously. G/ATOR Block II offers longer-range threat detection and tracking than current US counter-fire target acquisition radars.

The GWLR mode adds software to the G/ATOR system for detecting, tracking and identifying rocket, mortar and artillery projectiles, both sector-only and 360-degree. This mode addresses various types of simultaneous threats.

Roshan Roeder, director, mission solutions, Northrop Grumman, indicated that the company expects to achieve initial operating capability for G/ATOR Block II in mid-2018.