Joint Tactical Ground Stations

The Joint Tactical Ground Stations (JTAGS) program is a critical component of the Department of Defense's missile warning architecture, specifically designed to provide near real-time warning, alerting, and cueing information on ballistic missile launches and other tactical events. JTAGS leverages existing communication networks to disseminate this information throughout various theaters, directly supporting Combatant Commanders in their respective Areas of Responsibility (AOR). The program is managed under the Air Force's Space Procurement, Space Force appropriation, and is documented as P-1 Line #16 in the FY 2026 budget justification.

The primary goal of JTAGS is to ensure rapid and accurate dissemination of missile launch data to enable timely defensive responses. This is accomplished by integrating data from space-based sensors, notably the Air Force's Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS), which offers improved warning accuracy and timeliness compared to legacy systems. JTAGS is designated as the in-theater element of the United States Strategic Command's Theater Event System (TES), supporting all pillars of Theater Missile Defense and providing the shortest sensor-to-shooter connectivity available within the Department of Defense's missile warning infrastructure.

JTAGS units are strategically deployed outside the contiguous United States (OCONUS) in three major theaters: United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), United States Central Command (USCENTCOM), and United States European Command (USEUCOM). Four OCONUS JTAGS units provide continuous, in-theater space-based missile warning coverage. Additionally, a fifth system is located within the contiguous United States (CONUS) and serves as an institutional trainer, though it remains available as a deployable asset if operational needs arise.

To address obsolescence and maintain compatibility with newer satellite systems, the JTAGS program has undergone a Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) effort, resulting in the production and fielding of the JTAGS Block II system. This modernization ensures that JTAGS remains interoperable with SBIRS and other advanced space-based sensors, thereby sustaining its ability to deliver timely and accurate missile warning data. The Approved Acquisition Objective (AAO) for JTAGS is five systems, aligning with current deployment and training requirements.

Funding for JTAGS is contained within Program Element (PE) 1208053SF, which covers procurement and sustainment activities necessary to maintain operational readiness and system effectiveness. For FY 2026, no new funding is requested for JTAGS procurement, indicating that current inventory and modernization efforts have met the program's near-term objectives. This absence of funding reflects the completion of recent upgrades and the fulfillment of the AAO, with ongoing support and maintenance funded through other program elements as needed.

JTAGS plays a pivotal role in supporting Combatant Commanders by providing critical space-based missile warning capabilities that are integrated with broader theater defense systems. Its deployment across multiple geographic commands ensures that U.S. and allied forces have access to timely information necessary for effective missile defense operations. The program's continued alignment with advanced sensor technologies and its integration within the Theater Event System underscore its importance to national and allied security objectives.