JLENS deployed on US East Coast
The US Army has deployed a complete JLENS system on the East Coast of the US for the first time, Raytheon announced on 27 December. The system is designed to provide surveillance against advanced threats such as cruise missiles and aircraft.
JLENS, developed by Raytheon, consists of two helium-filled aerostats that float 10,000ft above the ground caring advanced radar systems.
The system is currently undergoing testing by Raytheon to ensure it is operating as designed, and will be handed over to the US Army’s A Battery, 3rd Air Defense Artillery following completion of testing and radar integration.
Dave Gulla, vice president, integrated defense systems' global integrated sensors, Raytheon, said: ‘JLENS is strategically emplaced to help defend Washington DC and a Texas-sized portion of the East Coast from cruise missiles, drones and hostile aircraft, JLENS can detect potential threats at extremely long ranges, giving North American Aerospace Defense Command more time to make decisions and more space to react appropriately.’
The second aerostat is scheduled to go aloft in early 2015. Following a series of additional tests, it will take part in an operational exercise. During the exercise, information from JLENS will be used by NORAD, the US-Canadian organisation charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control and maritime warning for North America. The 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, which is responsible for defending the airspace over the National Capital Region, will also use information from JLENS.
Another JLENS system is in strategic reserve, ready to be deployed should a comprehensive cruise missile defence capability be required.
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