"The primary objective of the review was to ensure complete allocation of system level requirements to the various subsystems or prime items," Raytheon said in a statement. "The three-day technical review evaluated system requirements and functions for each of the prime items, including the fire control radar, surveillance radar, processing station, communication system, and aerostat platform. Successful completion allows the program to progress to the preliminary design phase."

Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems said its JLENS battlefield radar "provides a long-duration, wide-area cruise missile defense capability while also supplying the battlefield commander with situational awareness and elevated communications capabilities."

"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," the company said. "Each JLENS consists of a long-range surveillance radar and a high-performance fire control radar, each integrated onto a large aerostat connected by a tether to a ground-based processing station."

"System testing is scheduled to begin in 2010 with program completion in 2012," it said.

"Raytheon has worked very closely with the U.S. Army to achieve this major program milestone," said Ralph Acaba, Raytheon IDS program director for JLENS. "It truly was a team effort. The successful completion of this review indicates that the JLENS program is on-track to bring this critical cruise missile defense capability to our warfighters as planned."

Email This Article

Related Links
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com