Developmental flight test in combat (Joint STARS at war)

Abstract

The Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS), which employs a refurbished 707 commercial airframe as its platform and is intended to furnish AWACS-like real-time battlefield intelligence to ground operations, first flew on January 14, 1991, in support of Operation Desert Shield. Attention is presently given to Joint STARS' developmental and testing activity, with emphasis on the cycle-development and testing that occurred in Saudi Arabia and on Desert Storm combat-mission support experience gained with the system. Basic ECCM and the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System are incorporated by Joint STARS.