Pentagon delays JSTARS acquisition

WASHINGTON, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Pentagon officials have prevented the recapitalization program for the Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System, further delaying the acquisition process.

According to Defense News, the Pentagon's Acquisition Board reviewed the program earlier in September, and was expected to approve the program to move forward into its demo phase, which would test its technology maturation and risk reduction. Now, the Air Force and its industry partners for the projects are tasked to complete additional work, pending further approval.

The Air Force announced a competition for the radar's development in early August to replace its aging E-8 JSTARS, which would award the winner a $31.4 million contract. In the running was Northrop Grumman, which teamed up with both Gulfstream and L-3, Lockheed Martin, teamed up with Bombardier, and Boeing.

JSTARS provides the Air Force command posts and Army mobile ground stations with surveillance information. The system is able to track ground vehicles and select aircraft, and relay tactical pictures to command posts. The aircraft is used by the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, and the U.S. Army.

The Pentagon's move comes as the Air Force launches an initiative to speed up the procurement process for their contracts and acquisitions. It aims to encourage its industrial partners to make their deliveries ahead of schedule. It will start with smaller projects, and move on to larger ones once the program has proven itself to work.