Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR)

The Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) program, under Program Element PE 0204460M, is a multi-role, ground-based, expeditionary 3D radar system developed for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and Navy. Its primary goals are to provide mobile, multi-functional surveillance of air-breathing targets, including cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), rockets, artillery, and mortars. G/ATOR supports both the Air Combat Element (ACE) and Ground Combat Element (GCE) within the Marine Air Ground Task Force, fulfilling requirements for air command and control as well as ground counter-fire and counter-battery operations.

The objectives of the G/ATOR Block 1 (GB1) line item focus on developing and integrating advanced software capabilities such as Naval Integrated Fire Control (NIFC), Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR), and Mode S. These enhancements are designed to improve radar and force survivability in peer and near-peer competitor environments. FY 2026 funding continues Mode S and NCTR software development and supports integration of NIFC, which enables cooperative engagement and remote fire capabilities, expanding operational reach and precision for naval forces.

The G/ATOR Block 1 (EASR Mode) line item is dedicated to replacing legacy Air Traffic Navigation Integration and Coordination System (ATNAVICS) radars with the AN/TPS-80 for expeditionary airfield surveillance and air traffic control. The program completed software development in FY 2025, including updates to the Common Aviation Command and Control System (CAC2S)/Composite Tracking Network (CTN) interface and addressing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification requirements for operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). No additional funding is requested for this line in FY 2026, reflecting completion of these objectives.

The G/ATOR Block 2 (GB2) line item completed development of user enhancements in FY 2025, aimed at improving operator situational awareness, tracker performance, and rapid assessment of radar operational status. These refinements were identified during developmental testing and operational assessments. No further funding is allocated for GB2 in FY 2026, indicating the completion of this phase.

The Multi-Domain Radar in a Contested Environment (MuDRaCE) line item is a Future Naval Capability (FNC) that transitioned from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in FY 2023. MuDRaCE focuses on developing adaptive layers for command and control integration, as well as near- and far-range passive detection and air surveillance in spectrum-dense environments. FY 2026 funding increases to support continued enhancements, particularly through the Medium Range Air Defense Radar (MRADR) program, which aims to minimize probability of detection for aviation ground command and control agencies via signature management.

The Government Technical Support line item provides essential support functions through Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Navy technical activities, including MITRE, NSWC Dahlgren, NSWC Crane, NAWC-AD China Lake, AIMS, DTIC, and NIWC Atlantic. These agencies contribute expertise in systems architecture, radar software and systems engineering, cybersecurity, human systems integration, and program protection. Their role is to ensure G/ATOR meets government performance specifications and integrates effectively with other sensor and command systems.

The Test and Evaluation and Management Services & Travel line items support ongoing engineering testing, program office travel, and management services required for system development and capability enhancements. Test and evaluation activities focus on electronic and cyber protection, systems security, and validation of new software features. Management services funding increases slightly in FY 2026 to maintain support for development of survivability enhancements in a contested environment. The FY 2026 budget reflects a transition from major development efforts to targeted capability enhancements, sustainment, and integration activities necessary for maintaining G/ATOR's relevance and effectiveness in evolving operational contexts.