Joint Tactical Ground System

Mission — Joint Tactical Ground Station source

The Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) is a post-production, Acquisition Category (ACAT) III program. JTAGS provides missile warning message data for the Air and Missile Defense (AMD) architecture and improves performance for Integrated Air and Missile Defense Fire Control Systems/Composite Army Air and Missile Defense Brigades. JTAGS disseminates near real time warning, alerting, and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events of interest throughout the theater using existing communication networks, providing critical support to Combatant Commanders in their Areas of Responsibility (AOR). JTAGS consist of two sheltered operation rooms, one equipment room, and three antennas. Four outside contiguous United States (OCONUS) deployed JTAGS units, which are deployed in three theaters (United States Pacific Command (PACOM), United States Central Command (CENTCOM), United States European Command (EUCOM)), constitute DoD's in-theater system providing space-based missile warning. The fifth contiguous United States (CONUS) system is used as an institutional trainer but is available as a deployable asset. JTAGS is designated as the in-theater element of the United States Strategic Command's Theater Event System (TES), supporting all Theater Missile Defense pillars, affording the shortest sensor-to-shooter connectivity. On 14 January 2016, the Army Acquisition Executive designated the JTAGS Pre-Planned Product Improvement (JTAGS P3I) program as a separate ACAT III modification program. The JTAGS Program Element (PE) supports development and testing of the JTAGS Block II P3I program based on the JTAGS Operational Requirements Document (ORD), additive Joint Requirements Oversight Council - Memorandum (JROC-M) requirements, and the formal JTAGS Block II Capability Development Document (CDD) thresholds. P3I upgraded JTAGS to a Block II configuration for operation with the next generation of Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) satellites, and improved warning tactical parameters and timeliness. The JTAGS Block II P3I program based on the 2009 JTAGS ORD is on contract as a two-phase development effort. JTAGS Block II Phase 2 activities seek to develop and test capabilities identified in 2009 JTAGS ORD. Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memos 197-12, 113-13, and 042-19 and PL 111-383(Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011) support the requirements to develop and field JTAGS Block II capabilities as soon as possible. JTAGS Block II Phase 2 Spiral 3 fielding was completed during FY 2024 and FY 2025. The continued JTAGS Block II CDD addresses evolving User-driven needs such as emerging threats and interface efforts that were not known at the time the JTAGS ORD was validated. Developmental efforts to achieve JTAGS Block II CDD threshold requirements continue through FY 2029. FY 2026 requests funds to continue development for cyber compliance, defense against emerging threats, Assured Positioning, Navigation and Timing (APNT) and M-code GPS compliance, addresses obsolescence mitigation with Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware/software upgrades, and research and develop prototypes for various system modifications for Red Hat Linux, the next generation Joint Tactical Terminals. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver the Joint Tactical Ground Stations (JTAGS) system capability. The sue of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 1206392SF and 1206398SF. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (2)