JSTARS Shine On

摘要

Northrop Grumman's E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS or JSTARS) is the result of a combined US Air Force/ US Army programme that sought a platform able to detect, track, identify, and support the attack of enemy ground units beyond the forward operating area of allied forces. The E-8C - an extensively modified Boeing 707-300 commercial airliner repurposed and integrated with radar, communications and control subsystems - made its first flight in December 1988. The USAF operates Joint STARS in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), airborne battle management, command and control role. Its primary mission is to provide ISR imagery, detecting and targeting enemy ground forces - such as tanks and convoys - and relaying that information to allied ground and air units.