JLENS boosts National Capital Region safety

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A series of laboratory tests have proven that data collected by the JLENS aerostat-radar system can be successfully be converted into a format for use by NORAD.

The test series was conducted by Raytheon, developer of the system which will soon by deployed in Maryland to help protect the National Capital Region from cruise missiles, drones and other low-flying vehicles.

"The lab tests proved that information from JLENS can be converted into a format that can be used by NORAD's command and control system," said Raytheon's Dave Gulla, vice president of Integrated Defense Systems' Global Integrated Sensors business area. "With JLENS providing data to NORAD, our military will have a more accurate picture of what is flying in the National Capital Region's airspace, and be able to identify slow-and-low flying threats such as cruise missiles and drones."

Raytheon's JLENS system is comprised of two helium-filled and tethered aerostats, or blimps. Each is nearly as long as a football field, float at an altitude of 10,000 feet and carry radars that can protect a territory about the size of Texas from airborne threats.

The entire system of two aerostats with ground equipment is known as an "orbit."

The system being deployed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds will be operated by a U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Battery under the control of NORAD-U.S. Northern Command.