The US Navy has received the latest JPALS precision approach and landing system, compatible with the F-35B and F-35C fifth-generation fighters

Raytheon has completed delivery of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System (JPALS) to the US Navy. The service recently received the latest JPLAS.

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The ship-based Precision Approach and Landing System is designed for installation on aircraft carriers and landing craft. It does away with the radars that provide air surveillance. With JPALS, the US Navy can reduce time intervals between landings by eliminating the need to talk to a controller.

At the moment, all landing ships and aircraft carriers of the US Navy are equipped with the system. JPALS is also used on HMS Queen Elizabeth of the Royal British Navy and ITS Cavour of the Italian Navy. A third foreign customer is Japan, but deliveries are scheduled for 2024.

JPALS is compatible with the F-35B and F-35C fifth generation fighters. According to Raytheon, reliability of the system reaches 99%. It can guide fighters with high accuracy regardless of weather conditions at wave heights up to 4 meters.

The system allows aircraft to be guided to land from a distance of 111 km. JPALS consists of GPS, a local precise positioning system and additional equipment, which is necessary to ensure automatic exchange of information with F-35 fighters coming to land.

Source: Defence Brief