Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program

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Proteus flies over the Tehachapi Mountains with the MP-RTIP radar pod.

The Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program (MP-RTIP), is a

RQ-4B Global Hawk UAV.[1]

Overview

The MP-RTIP is a "modular,

Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JointSTARS) and the existing Global Hawk system. The next-generation system will improve the Air Force's ability to track slow-moving ground vehicles and low-flying cruise missiles.[1] The primary improvements are a dramatic increase in resolution and an ability "to collect ground moving target indicator imagery and synthetic aperture radar still images simultaneously".[2]

The Global Hawk, which currently is an air-to-ground radar platform, was originally due to receive air-to-air capability through the MP-RTIP. That capability was subsequently removed from the test program's budget, however, in a reversal, funding for an air-to-air capability is being restored.[3]

Development

Phase I of the development program began in December, 2000. The three-year program was undertaken by Northrop Grumman at a contract cost of $410 million, and focused on the basic design of the radar system. Phase II is a six-year, $888 million contract awarded by the Air Force's

Space and Airborne Systems is a subcontractor on the program, tasked with hardware development. Phase II calls for the production of six systems, three for Global Hawk and three for the E-10.[1]

The Global Hawk's system is the first to be flight tested, a program for which Northrop Grumman is using its

Mojave Spaceport.[4][3]

Eventually, the entire program is expected to cost $2 billion. With the E-10 program cancellation, five E-8 JointSTARS aircraft are expected to be retrofitted with the MP-RTIP.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Northrop-Grumman press release, May 3, 2004, accessed April 20, 2007 Archived November 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ Raytheon press release, accessed April 20, 2007
  3. ^ a b "MP-RTIP: Rutan To Get First Crack At Flight Test", Shephard Press Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "E-10's MP-RTIP Ground Surveillance Radar to Test Aboard Proteus", Defense Industry Daily, May 17, 2006, accessed April 20, 2007
  5. ^ Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program at GlobalSecurity.org
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