JLENS Case

The Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System has shown in recent tests that it can detect and track tactical ballistic missiles during the ascent phase, according to the JLENS program director for prime contractor Raytheon, which conducted the testing.

In a series of four tests that began on Dec. 6, JLENS' X-band radar tracked ripple-fired tactical ballistic missile surrogates and missiles that were fired separately. "We went four-for-four tracking for tactical ballistic targets," Raytheon's Mark Rose told reporters in a teleconference today. "This was a pretty significant addition to the abilities of JLENS."

The system -- consisting of a tethered surveillance aerostat and a tethered aerostat with a fire-control radar -- is also capable of tracking cruise missiles, cars, boats, helicopters, trucks and trains, according to Rose.

The first day's testing probed JLENS' ability to track ripple-fired TBM threats launched within a few seconds of each other from a tactically representative range, Rose said. The radar "picked them up at the ascent phase and very quickly determined the launch point of where they were," he added. On the second day, officials tested the radar's ability to pick up and track separate TBM surrogates fired roughly an hour apart, according to Rose.

Raytheon sees real-world implications from the results. "There are thousands of targets out there from rogue nations to other organizations that have a variety of ballistic missiles," Rose said, adding, "there is clearly a threat to our national security from these things."

Referring to Desert Storm, Rose said if JLENS had been used at the time, it would have been able to track Scud missiles, determine their launch points and even track the trucks used to launch the missiles as they moved to other locations.

For additional coverage of the JLENS program, check out Inside the Army's recent stories:

JLENS Finds A Home At Aberdeen; Will Observe DC Region

JLENS Operations In CONUS-Based Location To Be Competed

JLENS' Second Developmental Test Deemed 'Successful' By Contractor