Tactical Air Operations Center Handbook - GlobalSecurity.org

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loading/offloading from aircraft and shipping. Each MACS will receive five
M-1022A1 mobilizers.
Theater Missile Defense Upgrades
MCWP 3-25.7
Various modifications will be made to TAOC equipment to upgrade its
theater missile defense (TMD) capabilities. Concentrating on the theater
missile (TM) threats most likely to influence a MAGTF (i.e., shorter-range
theater ballistic missiles [TBMs] and cruise missiles [CMs]), TAOC modifications
will primarily focus on the TAOM and the AN/TPS-59.
TAOM Modifications. The TAOM will be modified to receive, process,
and distribute, and/or forward TBM target data to AAW and GBAD units
capable of engaging and destroying the target and other C 2 agencies via
digital data communications.
AN/TPS-59 Radar. The radar will be modified to provide increased ability
to detect, track, and process TBM targets and distribute those targets
to the TAOM. In the near-term configuration, the AN/TPS-59 is connected
to a TAOC via fiber optic cable for passing air breathing target (ABT) information
and to the air defense communications platform (ADCP) via a pointto-point
data link for passing TBM tracks. When the AN/TPS-59 is connected
to the ADCP, three TBM messages are passed:
The ballistic missile message: Contains vector and other descriptive data
and covariance data.
The reference point message: Contains launch point and impact point
data.
The data update request message: Contains multiple missile update capability
and data selection capability.
Along with this upgrade, the AN/TPS-59 system will be reduced from three
to two shelters. The number of planned position indicators will change from
two to one, with the planned position indicator becoming digitized.