Patriot and JLENS work together to shoot down target during test
NewsMay 04, 2012
TEWKSBURY, Mass. A pair of Raytheon systems with advanced radar capability, -- the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System and the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) ? worked in concert together to detect, track and take out a test target simulating an enemy cruise missile during a demonstration at the Utah Training and Test Range.
The JLENS-Patriot systems integration met the test objectives, according to Raytheon officials. The JLENS surveillance system was evaluated on how well it could detect and track a long-range threat and then cue the fire control radar. The fire control system was then evaluated on its ability to track and transmit target information to Patriot computers. The exercise data will be analyzed against test parameters.
JLENS was created to mainly detect and track hostile cruise missiles; but also is able to detect and track low-flying aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system also has the capability to detect and track ballistic missiles, surface targets, and large caliber rockets. A JLENS system is made up of two tethered 74-meter aerostats with radar and communications systems integrated on each. The aerostats elevate the radar and communications systems to as high as10,000 feet. The surveillance radar has 360-degree coverage and the fire control radar delivers sectored precision tracking for hundreds of miles over land and sea.
The Patriot Air and Missile Defense System has been successful against enemy aircraft; cruise missiles; tactical ballistic missiles; and UAVs.
Raytheon is the JLENS prime contractor and international and domestic Patriot systems, as well as systems integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.
