Joint STARS

Whether it is testimony to the foresight of joint service defense planners or the capabilities of the U.S. defense industry, ongoing 21st-century combat operations have helped identify an array of unexpected capabilities and contributions from systems originally envisioned and planned in the Cold War environment.

The E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a good example. Developed by Northrop Grumman, E-8C Joint STARS is the most advanced targeting and battle-management system in the world. The system consists of a modified commercial jet aircraft equipped with AN/APY-7 radar (developed by Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems in Norwalk, Conn.), which …