MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. -- MACS-1 held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) system at Canon Air Defense Complex aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., Feb. 28, 2018. The ceremony officially formalizes MACS-1’s receipt in the operating forces of the first operational AN/TPS-80.
The G/ATOR is a multi-role expeditionary advanced radar system for use by aviation and ground units that provides 360 degree surveillance used for observing aircraft and other enemy threats. Its quick 30 minute setup and tear down allows for easier radar placement and displacement, which is much quicker than other systems in the past.
"Since it's such an advanced radar and since it's much more expeditionary than the systems it has replaced, it will increase the ability to deploy sensors, protect the force and conduct operations across the range of military operations in a forward expeditionary environment," said Lt. Col. Brian McLean, the Commanding Officer of MACS-1.
This is the first time that the G/ATOR system has been utilized on the aviation side and MCAS Yuma's MACS-1 are the first to implement it.
"It’s an amazing feeling being one of the few Marines to be a part of the whole process, not only getting to learn what the Marine Corps wants from the system but getting to meet the engineers that actually created it," said Cpl. Adam Augeson, a radar technician with MACS-1.
The Marine Corps is constantly looking for ways to improve and enhance its warfighting capabilities and with MCAS Yuma fielding the first aviation side G/ATOR, they are taking yet another big step forward with technological advancement.