WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- The Raytheon Company announced Wednesday that it had reached agreement with the U.S. Army resulting "in finalizing a contract modification for system development and demonstration of the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS)."
"Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) JLENS provides a long-duration, wide-area cruise missile defense capability while also providing elevated communications capabilities," the company said in a statement. "JLENS also supports situational awareness for the battlefield commander.
"The system provides over-the-horizon detection and tracking of incoming cruise missiles with sufficient warning to enable air defense systems to engage and defeat the threat," Raytheon said.
"Each JLENS consists of a long-range surveillance radar and a high-performance fire control radar, each integrated onto a large aerostat connected via tether to a ground-based processing station," the company said. "System testing is scheduled to begin in 2010 with program completion in 2012," it said.
"Raytheon looks forward to working closely with the Army as we bring this essential cruise missile defense capability to our warfighters," said Rick Yuse, vice president of IDS Integrated Air Defense.
"JLENS is critical to the Army's system of systems approach to cruise missile defense, utilizing a network of sensors in support of a wide variety of weapons to provide over- the-horizon threat detection and engagement," Yuse said
Raytheon said that the JLENS program was directed by U.S. Army Product Manager Lt. Col. Jeffrey K. Souder as part of the Cruise Missile Defense Systems Project Office at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
"In addition to providing a significant cruise missile defense capability, the JLENS system will also be capable of tracking surface moving targets and tactical ballistic missiles during their boost phase, and passing target data to various weapon systems and platforms across the military services," said Ralph Acaba, Raytheon IDS program director for JLENS.
"The ability to perform multiple missions for extended periods of time and interoperate with other systems such as the Army PATRIOT and the Navy Standard Missile makes JLENS a true enabler of Joint Battlespace Integration," Acaba said. "This system is going to make a big difference on the battlefield of the future."
Raytheon said work on the program would be carried out at its facilities in Massachusetts, California, Texas and Maryland.
"Raytheon IDS will develop the fire control radar and processing station. TCOM, L.P., based in Maryland, will develop the aerostat and associated ground equipment," the company said.
Lockheed Martin wins $619 million THAAD contract
Lockheed Martin announced Wednesday that the company had won a $619 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency to begin production of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, Weapon System.
"The contract for the first two THAAD fire units includes 48 interceptors, six launchers and two fire control and communications units," the company said in a statement. "The system is scheduled for fielding in Fiscal Year 2009."
"This is a major milestone for the THAAD program," said Tom McGrath, Lockheed Martin vice president and THAAD program manager. "Lockheed Martin, our customers at MDA and the THAAD Project Office have been working together to ensure that warfighters receive a missile defense system they can count on to defend themselves and the assets they are protecting.
"Once fielded, THAAD will network with other systems and sensors to provide the layered missile defense capability required for the future," McGrath said.
Lockheed Martin said that final assembly, integration and the testing of production equipment for the THAAD system would be carried out by its manufacturing facilities in Troy, Alaska, and Camden, Arizona.
"THAAD is designed to defend U.S. troops, allied forces, population centers and critical infrastructure against short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles," the company said. "THAAD comprises a fire control and communications system, interceptors, launchers and a radar. The THAAD interceptor uses hit-to-kill technology to destroy targets, and is the only weapon system that engages threat ballistic missiles at both endo- and exo-atmospheric altitudes."
Israel faces new missile threat to airliners
The Israeli government is taking seriously intelligence reports that Palestinian guerrillas will try and shoot down airliners flying in and out of Ben-Gurion Airport.
"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has told the Finance Ministry to transfer almost $5 million immediately to equip El Al planes with defense systems against shoulder-fired missiles, Army Radio reported. A dispute between the government and the airline over an unrelated fuel usage issue had delayed the move for a year," the IsraelNN.com Web site reported Wednesday.
Over the past year, Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip have fired hundreds of low-tech, short-range Qassem missiles into Israel across the security barrier, or wall. So far, both casualties and damage from the attacks have been light. But the Israeli government is taking seriously reports that Hamas has received new more advanced missiles with the range to shoot down airliners flying in and out of Ben-Gurion.
"Gaza terrorists have claimed they have missiles than can down Israeli aircraft, and it was reported earlier this week that they have smuggled into Gaza a propellant used for surface-to-air missiles," IsraelNN.com said.
