Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago recently confirmed that the U.S. Marine Corps is strengthening its local presence with the deployment of an AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR radar. The assistance is part of an agreement between both countries aimed at increasing surveillance capabilities in response to illegal flights directly linked to narco-terrorist organizations and the growing tension with Venezuela.
According to reporting by the Trinidad and Tobago Guardian, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar confirmed that “…the U.S. is installing a new radar to monitor activities inside and outside Trinidad and Tobago…”. The Trinidadian official also mentioned that U.S. troops remain in the country, “…helping with surveillance improvements in Tobago…”.
The Prime Minister also stated that the U.S. Marines “…are also helping with the runway, the road, and a radar…this will help us improve our surveillance and radar intelligence regarding drug traffickers in our waters…”. It is worth noting that Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit were deployed in Trinidad and Tobago almost 10 days ago, a presence that took place within the framework of joint exercises with the local Defence Force.
The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of the many military elements that Washington keeps deployed in the U.S. Southern Command’s area of responsibility as part of operations to combat narco-terrorist organizations—activities that have led to ongoing tensions with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. In addition to its ground component, the Marines also have access to aerial assets such as helicopters and fifth-generation F-35B Lightning II fighters, as well as U.S. Navy amphibious platforms and U.S. Air Force aircraft.
AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR surveillance radar
Manufactured by Northrop Grumman, the AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR surveillance radar has enabled the Marines to enhance their ability to detect, track, and engage various types of aerial threats in contested environments. According to the manufacturer, the G/ATOR “…consolidates air surveillance, air defense, and counter-fire target acquisition missions into a single package, capable of performing all these functions simultaneously and reacting with the speed required on today’s battlefield…”.
The G/ATOR radar is a short- and medium-range three-dimensional multi-function system designed to operate with expeditionary forces such as the Marines. The system can detect low-observability and low-radar-cross-section targets, including rockets and field artillery projectiles, mortar rounds, cruise missiles, and both manned and unmanned aerial systems.
The S-band AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR provides full long-range, four-dimensional, 360-degree surveillance for air and missile defense, fire control, and air traffic management. “…With the ability to establish high-quality fire control tracks in a single scan, the radar provides the necessary data for defensive weapons to destroy aerial threats such as cruise missiles, hypersonic missiles, ballistic missiles, manned aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)…”, Northrop Grumman details.
The AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR also features the capability to conduct air traffic control missions, acting as a multi-function ground flight operations manager.
Illustrative cover image. Credits: USMC – Cpl. Emily Weiss
You may also be interested in: HII completes delivery of the 25th Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine to the U.S. Navy
