Saab Defense and Security has received a contract from Northrop Grumman to deliver components and subsystems for the US Marine Corps’ (USMC) AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system.

The $32m agreement involves the delivery of major subsystems and assemblies, in addition to software, for the first four low-rate initial production (LRIP) units.

Northrop, a prime contractor for the G/ATOR programme, will integrate Saab’s assemblies into the Lot 1 G/ATOR systems, which are set for delivery between 2016 and 2017.

"The $32m agreement involves the delivery of major subsystems and assemblies."

G/ATOR is reportedly the first ground-based, multi-mission active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to be built by the US Department of Defense.

Featuring open, scalable architecture that enables digital interoperability and integration of new capabilities through software-only updates, the system aims to provide USMC with a single radar type capable of performing air surveillance, air defence, ground weapon locating and air traffic control missions.

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In March 2014, the system was authorised to enter LRIP, upon the completion of intense tests and environmental conditions to demonstrate its potential to offer better situational awareness against a range of platforms, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned autonomous systems.

The latest contract also includes priced options for further sets of assemblies and associated spares.