Raytheon has completed a blimp-borne radar system for the U.S. Army to use as a line of defense against incoming threats.
The JLENS airborne radar system floats at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet and is built to defend assets and infrastructures against manned- and unmanned- aircraft and missiles,the company said Tuesday.
The Army has acquired two of its JLENS systems to date and completed the early stages of testing and development late last year.
“By putting JLENS in strategic reserve, the Army is giving combatant commanders around the globe the ability to pick up the phone and, in short order, receive this incredible air defense capability in their area of responsibility,” said Raytheon’s Dave Gulla, vice president of the global integrated sensors business area.
JLENS’ radar is designed to fly for up to 30 days and help fend off hostile cruise missiles, low-flying manned and unmanned aircraft and anti-air vehicles.