US Marine Corps begin to deploy their newest Mobile Tactical Air Operations Command and Control System

References: Northrop Grumman (1), FAS.org (2)

News Report

As announced in a recent press release, the US Marine Corps has begun deploying the first of 10 AN/TSQ-269 Mobile Tactical Air Operations Module command and control systems (MTAOM), which feature key components made by Northrop Grumman.

The System

The MTAOM is a self-contained, expeditionary platform that allows the Tactical Air Operations Center to conduct air command and control and air-defense operations anywhere there is a need. The command and control system features highly mobile components, including Northrop Grumman's Multi-Radar Tracker processors (MRT), Tactical Data Link support units, and the compact, modular, five-ounce AYK-14 Replacement Computer circuit card (ARC) that serves as the computing center of the MTAOM.

Mounted in a standard S-788 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) shelter, the MTAOM coupled with the AN/MRQ-12 Communications Interface System includes the complete capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps' legacy AN/TYQ-23 Tactical Air Operations Module command and control system plus the ability to incorporate and fuse Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other commercial radar inputs.

The system provides facilities for accepting input from search radar and IFF systems, as well as for receiving and processing track information, orders, command and status data received via digital data links from other command and control systems.

The Context

Tactical Air Operations Modules (TAOMs) are used by Air Control Squadrons and provide the necessary equipment to plan, direct, and control tactical air operations and to perform specified airspace management tasks. A single TAOM, contains all the air command and control equipment, including a full range of tactical digital datalinks, to perform the air defence function.

Systems are currently operational with US forces in Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea and Kuwait.

Comments

"The state-of-the-art Mobile Tactical Air Operations Module is helping to revolutionize command and control operations by offering unparalleled agility and transportability to warfighters," said Ike Song, vice president of situational awareness systems at Northrop Grumman's Navigation Systems Division. "By integrating open, modern architecture developed by Northrop Grumman into an expeditionary platform, this system provides the command and control information needed to help keep service members safe in fast-moving, critical operations."