Joint Tactical Ground Station
Detachments 1 through 4 are operating the Joint Tactical Ground Station (JTAGS) (Project 676760) WT-5 systems for Guardians across Missile Warning and Missile Tracking (MW/MT) mission area. As a result, the Service will improve readiness and operational reach of existing force structure. JTAGS is a post-production, Acquisition Category (ACAT) III program. The weapon system designator for JTAGS is WT-5. JTAGS provides missile warning message data for the Air and Missile Defense (AMD) architecture. JTAGS disseminates near real time warning, alerting, and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and events of interest throughout the theater using existing communication networks, providing critical support to Combatant Commanders in their Areas of Responsibility (AOR). Additionally, JTAGS supports the Strategic Missile Warning architecture. 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 Department of War's (DoW) 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. The JTAGS Block II P3I program based on the 2009 JTAGS ORD is on contract as a two-phase development effort. Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) Memos 197-12, 113-13, and 042-19 and PL 111-383 support the requirements to develop and field JTAGS Block II capabilities as soon as possible. Continued JTAGS Block II CDD addresses evolving User-driven needs such as emerging threats, resiliency, modernization, and expanding interfaces 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 2032.
FY2027 planned work FY 2027 will address obsolete hardware/software upgrades and research and develop proof of concepts/prototypes for various system resilience and modernization modifications for the next generation Joint Tactical Terminals and capability integration across missile warning architecture (M-Code, APNT, modernized crypto, communication resiliency). Development of cybersecurity risk reduction efforts through upgrading/updating obsolete equipment will address a multitude of high-risk factors and ultimately reduce the risk posture of the program. Rapidly respond to implement system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain. Activities may include, but…
FY2026 to FY2027 change FY 2027 increased due to inflation in support of steady state development activities
FY2026 plans — current year FY 2026 will address obsolete hardware/software upgrades, and research and develop prototypes for various system modifications for Red Hat Linux, the next generation Joint Tactical Terminals and capability integration across missile warning architecture. Development of cybersecurity risk reduction efforts through upgrading/updating obsolete equipment will address a multitude of high-risk factors and ultimately reduce the risk posture of the program. Rapidly respond to implement system resiliency and situational awareness necessary to operate in the contested space domain. Activities may include, but are not limited to program office support, studies, technical analysis, experimentation…
Begin upgrade of the current JTAGS infrastructure. These upgrades both increase today's JTAGS site resiliency against jamming and cyber threats above and beyond Block II compliance activities, and lay the foundation for future capabilities such as next gen/ Resilient MWT Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) sensor processing, SMW mission failover…
Read the FY2027 plan →