Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap 2005-2030 - Federation of ...

UAS ROADMAP 2005
2.5.2
Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS)
User Service: Air Force
Manufacturer: ILC Dover
Inventory: 10 Delivered/10 Planned
Background: TARS primary mission is to provide low level
radar surveillance data in support of federal agencies involved in
the nation’s drug interdiction program. Its secondary mission is
to provide North America Aerospace Defense Command with
low level surveillance coverage for air sovereignty in the Florida
Straights. One aerostat, located at Cudjoe Key, FL, transmits TV
Marti, which sends American television signals to Cuba for the Office of Cuba broadcasting. All radar
data is transmitted to a ground station, then digitized and fed to the various users. Airborne time is
generally limited by the weather to 60 percent operational availability; notwithstanding weather, aerostat
and equipment availability averages more than 98 percent system wide. For security and safety reasons,
the air space around USAF aerostat sites is restricted for a radius of at least two to three statute miles and
an altitude up to 15,000 feet. http://www2.acc.af.mil/library/factsheets/tars.html.
Characteristics:
TARS TARS
Length 208 ft Tail Span 100 ft
Volume 275,000/420,000 ft 3
Payload Capacity 1,200 lb
Performance:
Endurance 10/30 days Altitude 12,000-15,000 ft
Sensor Radar Sensor Make AN/TPS-63
2.5.3
Joint Land Attack Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS)
User Service: Joint (Army Lead)
Manufacturer: Raytheon/TCOM
Inventory: 12 Planned
Background: JLENS is primarily intended to tackle the growing threat
of cruise missiles to U.S. forces deployed abroad with radars to provide
over-the-horizon surveillance. A JLENS system consists of two
aerostats, one containing a surveillance radar (SuR) and one containing a
precision track illumination radar (PTIR). Each aerostat is tethered to a
mobile mooring station and attached to a processing station via a fiber
optic/power tether. The SuR provides the initial target detection and then
cueing to the PTIR, which generates a fire control quality track. The JLENS system is integrated into the
joint tactical architecture via Link 16, cooperative engagement capability, single-channel ground and air
radio system, and enhanced position location reporting system. Both radar systems will include
identification, friend or foe interrogators.
Characteristics:
JLENS JLENS
Length 233 ft Tail Span 75 ft
Volume 590,000 ft 3
Payload Capacity 5,000 lb
Performance:
Endurance 30 days Altitude 10-15,000 ft
Sensor Radar Sensor Make Jasper
SECTION 2 - CURRENT UA PROGRAMS
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