JLENS

JLENS
Type	Long-range surface-to-air missile and other threat detection capability Aerostat
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	December 2014-Active testing and operation summarily suspended October 2015.
Used by	United States Army
Production history
Designer	Raytheon, TCOM
Designed	1998
Manufacturer	Raytheon
Unit cost	$175 million (avg unit cost)
Produced	2009 (Block 1) and 2011 (Block 2)
No. built	4
Variants	1
Specifications
Weight	7,000 pounds (3,200 kg)
Length	242 feet or 77 yards (70 m)
Diameter	~80 feet (24 m)
Main armament	none
Secondary armament	none
Payload capacity	3,500 pounds (1,600 kg)
Transmission	Multiple fiber optic links to ground facility
Propellant	none
Fuel capacity	none
Flight ceiling	10,000 feet (3,000 m)
Launch platform	tethered cable

The Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor System, or JLENS (colloquially, Spy Balloon), is a tethered aerial detection system designed to track boats, ground vehicles,cruise missiles, manned and unmanned aircraft (airborne early warning and control), and other threats. The system has four primary components: two tethered aerostats which utilize a helium/air mix, armored mooring stations, sophisticated radars, and a processing station designed to communicate with anti-missile and other ground and airborne systems. Each system is referred to as an "orbit", and two orbits have been built. The Army-led joint program is designed to complement fixed-wing surveillance aircraft, saving money on crew, fuel, maintenance and other costs, and give military commanders advance warning to make decisions and provide notifications.

In January 1996, the office of the Secretary of Defense directed the Army to establish an Aerostat Joint Project Office based in Huntsville, Alabama. The office involved all military departments—the Army would serve as program manager, while the Navy and Air Force would provide deputy program managers. Following approval of the JLENS acquisition strategy, the project office conducted design concept and risk-reduction studies.

In June 1997, the project office issued a request for proposal for an early JLENS prototype. The initial program had three objectives: (1) to mitigate risks during development and acquisition; (2) to design, develop, procure, fabricate, integrate, test, demonstrate and maintain a system which met military requirements; and (3) to provide an operational prototype which could potentially be used during a deployment of troops.

Three bids were received, and in January 1998 a joint venture between Hughes Aircraft and Raytheon, located in El Segundo, California, won the initial contract—valued at $11.9 million—as part of an estimated $292 million contract if all options were exercised.

Since that time, numerous studies and requirements changes have been made. According to JLENS' product manager, the system is poised for operational testing, a planned three-year deployment at Aberdeen Proving Ground; if successful, full deployment would be the next step.