Time lapse inflation of a Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System (JLENS) aerostat at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., Dec. 14, 2014. JLENS provides national command authorities with increased situational awareness and early warning detection against possible threats.
JLENS provides elevated persistent, Over-The-Horizon surveillance and fire control quality data against stressing cruise missiles and other air breathing threats and extends engagement ranges for current air defense weapon systems. A JLENS Orbit consists of two systems: a Fire Control Radar (FCR) system and a wide-area Surveillance Radar (SuR) system. Each system is comprised of a 74-meter tethered aerostat, a mobile mooring station, a radar, data and voice communications equipment, control group and associated ground support equipment. JLENS is designed to distribute surveillance, track, and identification data contributing to the Single Integrated Air Picture (SIAP) via Link 16 and the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) networks.
(U.S. Army Video by Spc. James K. McCann / Released)
Source: YouTube