Raytheon's JLENS proves tracking capabilities during test

Raytheon Company's Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) recently completed Demonstration Test 1 (DT-1), proving its ability to track targets and integrate with fire control and tactical data link systems. Providing a joint service capability, the JLENS system consists of two tethered 74-meter aerostats. One aerostat elevates a surveillance radar to 10,000 feet, providing 360-degree coverage out for hundreds of miles over land and sea. The other aerostat elevates a fire-control radar. Each of the aerostat platforms has the capability to integrate other communications and sensor systems. During live-fire tests later this year, JLENS will demonstrate its ability to detect airborne threats and transmit targeting data to surface-based air and missile defense systems that will engage test targets. In the meantime, testing continues in Utah and at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.