General Atomics Tests Airborne Tracking and Targeting System During International Maritime Exercises

SAN DIEGO, CA, 19 OCT 2018 - General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it participated in the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) to conduct demonstrations and testing of the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Airborne Tracking and Targeting System (ATTS). The ATTS is configured on an MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft to generate precision tracks and imagery of targets of interest. The system was employed throughout the RIMPAC exercises conducted near the Hawaiian Islands.

“We tested MDA’s ATTS under operational conditions to help further characterize its tracking performance against real-world targets of interest,” stated Dr. Michael Perry, vice president for lasers and advanced sensors at GA-EMS. “Exercises like RIMPAC provide us with a unique opportunity to shake out and stretch the system’s capabilities. We can now take the test data we’ve obtained and analyze it to further improve ATTS’ ability to effectively track and target a variety of threats at long-range and in real-time.

“GA-EMS continues to develop and advance its portfolio of missile defense weapon systems and technologies to support air, sea and land platforms,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “In an increasingly more complex, multi-layered warfare environment, systems like ATTS will enhance our military forces ability to improve tracking and targeting accuracy to protect lives and achieve mission success.”

Held every two years, RIMPAC is the world’s largest multinational maritime warfare exercise. The RIMPAC 2018 Exercise was underway from June 27 to August 2, and included 25 nations, 46 ships, approximately 200 aircraft, five submarines, and 25,000 personnel.

About General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and electric power generation systems. GA-EMS’ history of research, development, and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for critical defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

For further information contact:
EMS-MediaRelations@ga.com

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