IG says USMC managing G/ATOR well, need TEMP for GaN

AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR)

DoD IG - Reports and Publications - Marine Corps Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar Program Management Met Acquisition Guidelines Intent, but Risks Remain
The Marine Corps generally managed the G/ATOR program in accordance with Defense acquisition guidelines. G/ATOR Program Management Office (PMO) officials implemented reliability improvements, planned new semiconductor technology that should reduce costs and improve
performance, and obtained the milestone decision authority approval for increased initial production quantities.

However, on March 10, 2014, the milestone decision authority approved the G/ATOR system to begin initial production without an approved Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP). Officials from G/ATOR PMO and the test community stated that they were coordinating to include the test
strategy for new semiconductor technology and a clarified operational reliability requirement in the TEMP.

G/ATOR PMO officials plan to complete the TEMP before developmental testing begins in the second quarter FY 2017. Until the TEMP is updated to include the test strategy for new semiconductor technology and a clarified operational reliability requirement, the G/ATOR program is not ready for additional testing.
• On January 24, 2014, G/ATOR PMO officials briefed the MDA about their plan to transition to a new semiconductor technology—from gallium arsenide (GaAs) to gallium nitride (GaN).

• G/ATOR PMO officials stated the transition should 
• reduce costs and 
• improve G/ATOR reliability.
• Marine Corps officials estimated $40 million in procurement cost savings when they transition to GaN technology.
• GaN-based G/ATOR systems should achieve greater efficiency by reducing the number of system components.
• GaN-based G/ATOR has 76 less transmit/receive components than GaAs-based G/ATOR.
• Fewer components:
• cost less to maintain and sustain; and
• reduce chances of failure.
• G/ATOR PMO officials are updating the TEMP to include the GaN test strategy 

Related /Background:

• AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR)
• A highly mobile multi-mission radar system designed to fully support worldwide expeditionary requirements, Northrop Grumman's AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR system provides multi-faceted detection and tracking capabilities to enable engagement of a wide range of hostile threats, and offers robust air traffic control capabilities to ensure the safety of Marines worldwide. 
• PEO LS G/ATOR, GBAD and PdM Radars Program Support - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities 
• spendergast: USMC awards Northrop Grumman $207M for 4 G/ATOR AN/TPS-80 LRIP 
• spendergast: Northrop Grumman AN/TPS-80 tested by USMC at Yuma 
• spendergast: G/ATOR (AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar)