Sierra Nevada delivers first LRIP mobile air control tower to Army
- By Defense Systems Staff
- Mar 15, 2013
Sierra Nevada has delivered the first low rate initial production version of its Mobile Tower System (MOTS) for air traffic control that will replace an aging model, the company said March 14.
MOTS is a rapidly deployable air traffic control system with secure and nonsecure communications radios and support equipment, the company said. The modular MOTS includes an ATC Tower with organic 18kW power generators, a medium-intensity solar powered airfield runway lighting system and meteorological sensors.
The LRIP contract was awarded in March 2012 for 10 MOTS. An early development MOTS has been deployed with the 3rd Infantry Division in Afghanistan since November 2012.
MOTS is capable of being airlifted by C-17 aircraft or by CH-47 helicopter and supports military air traffic control operations by networking with other air traffic service and battle command systems, the company said.
The new AN/MSQ-135 MOTS will replace the Army’s aging AN/TSW-7A air traffic control tower. The MOTS system will also provide a world-wide deployable ATC capability to U.S. Army Aviation.