Radar layer — AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR + HAMMR
Complementary AESA radar pair — long-range S-band G/ATOR and compact X-band HAMMR — delivering 360-degree, four-dimensional air surveillance from fixed sites to moving vehicles.
Northrop Grumman's radar layer for C-UAS combines two complementary active electronically scanned array (AESA) sensors that together cover the detection problem from strategic airspace surveillance down to close-in drone threats on the move.
The AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR) is a medium-to-long-range S-band (2–4 GHz) system built around gallium nitride (GaN) transmit/receive modules. Operating in four-dimensional, 360-degree coverage mode, it simultaneously handles air surveillance, counterfire target acquisition, and air traffic control from a single towed trailer. The U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force operate G/ATOR as their programme of record; a recent software update has extended its effective surveillance range further and sharpened fire-control precision against low-slow-small UAS. The full system emplaces in approximately 45 minutes and can be transported to theatre in a single C-130 Hercules, making it viable for expeditionary air-base and large-footprint airfield defence.
HAMMR (Highly Adaptable Multi-Mission Radar) repurposes the combat-proven AN/APG-83 fighter AESA in an X-band ground configuration, mounted on a vehicle or towable trailer for sense-on-the-move operations. Its compact, lightweight form factor delivers 360-degree coverage while mobile — addressing the gap between fixed long-range surveillance and the point-defence problem. HAMMR has demonstrated detection and tracking of Group I and II UAS during U.S. Army live-fire trials and supports C-RAM, air defence early warning, and airspace management simultaneously.
Together, the two radars provide the sensor backbone for layered C-UAS architectures: G/ATOR establishes the extended battlespace picture, HAMMR provides high-tempo mobile cueing where trucks and convoys need organic situational awareness.
Technical specifications.
| G/ATOR frequency band | S-band (2–4 GHz) |
| G/ATOR antenna technology | GaN AESA |
| G/ATOR detection range | >160 km (aerial targets) |
| G/ATOR coverage | 360° azimuth, 4D tracking |
| G/ATOR emplacement time | ~45 minutes |
| HAMMR frequency band | X-band |
| HAMMR antenna technology | AESA (AN/APG-83 derivative) |
| HAMMR coverage | 360° on-the-move |
| HAMMR target classes | Group I and II UAS, rockets, artillery, mortars, aircraft |
| G/ATOR air transport | Single C-130 Hercules or 3× CH-53E |
| G/ATOR power | 60 kW generator (dedicated pallet) |
Use cases.
- ›Long-range air surveillance and UAS early-warning for airfield and air-base perimeters
- ›Air traffic control and counterfire acquisition from a single sensor (G/ATOR multi-mission)
- ›Mobile, on-the-move drone detection and tracking for convoy or expeditionary force protection (HAMMR)
- ›Cueing sensor for downstream effectors — Stinger, Avenger, DEW, directed-EW — in a layered C-UAS architecture
- ›Integration into joint/NATO air-defence networks via open-architecture command links