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[[Image:Proteus MP-RTIP USAF.jpg|right|thumb|[[Scaled Composites Proteus|Proteus]] flies over the [[Tehachapi Mountains]] with the MP-RTIP radar pod.]]
The '''Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program''' ('''MP-RTIP'''), is a [[U.S. Air Force]] project led by contractor [[Northrop Grumman]] to develop the next generation of airborne air-to-air and [[Airborne ground surveillance|air-to-ground radar]] systems. While initially planned to come in three sizes<ref name="gs1"/> for multiple platforms, the MP-RTIP is currently intended only for the [[RQ-4 Global Hawk|RQ-4B Global Hawk]] [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]].<ref name="ng1">[http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/media_news/2004_data/mn04_mp-rtip_sdd_is2504.pdf Northrop-Grumman press release, May 3, 2004, accessed April 20, 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061113110724/http://www.is.northropgrumman.com/media_news/2004_data/mn04_mp-rtip_sdd_is2504.pdf |date=November 13, 2006 }}</ref>

==Overview==
The MP-RTIP is a "modular, [[active electronically scanned array]] radar system" designed to be scaled in size in order to fit on board different platforms. The system is being developed from earlier Northrop Grumman radar systems, including the [[E-8 Joint STARS|Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System]] (JointSTARS) and the existing Global Hawk system. The next-generation system will improve the Air Force's ability to track slow-moving ground vehicles and low-flying cruise missiles.<ref name="ng1"/> The primary improvements are a dramatic increase in resolution and an ability "to collect ground moving target indicator imagery and synthetic aperture radar still images simultaneously".<ref name="ray1">[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=683935&TICK=RTN6&STORY=/www/story/06-10-2004/0002191062&EDATE=Jun+10,+2004 Raytheon press release, accessed April 20, 2007]</ref>

The Global Hawk, which currently is an air-to-ground radar platform, was originally due to receive air-to-air capability through the MP-RTIP. That capability was subsequently removed from the test program's budget, however, in a reversal, funding for an air-to-air capability is being restored.<ref name="shep1">[http://www.shephard.co.uk/UVOnline/Default.aspx?Action=-187126550&ID=561258e2-3206-499e-95b6-61d601fc24a3Rutan's "MP-RTIP: Rutan To Get First Crack At Flight Test", Shephard Press] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928005204/http://www.shephard.co.uk/UVOnline/Default.aspx?Action=-187126550&ID=561258e2-3206-499e-95b6-61d601fc24a3Rutan%27s |date=2007-09-28 }}</ref> RQ-4B Block 40 and later have MP-RTIP installed for dual air and ground surveillance capacity.<ref name="RQ-4 Global">[http://www.bga-aeroweb.com/Defense/RQ-4-Global-Hawk.html RQ-4 Global Hawk & MQ-4C Triton] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630084945/http://www.bga-aeroweb.com/Defense/RQ-4-Global-Hawk.html |date=30 June 2015}}. Bga-Aeroweb.com</ref>

==Development==
Phase I of the development program began in December, 2000. The three-year program was undertaken by Northrop Grumman at a contract cost of $410 million, and focused on the basic design of the radar system. Phase II is a six-year, $888 million contract awarded by the Air Force's [[Electronic Systems Center]] in May, 2004, under which the radar system is being developed, tested and integrated. [[Raytheon|Raytheon's]] [[Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems|Space and Airborne Systems]] is a subcontractor on the program, tasked with hardware development. Phase II calls for the production of six systems, three for Global Hawk and three for the E-10.<ref name="ng1"/>

The Global Hawk's system is the first to be flight tested, a program for which Northrop Grumman is using its [[Scaled Composites Proteus|Proteus]] aircraft (built by [[Scaled Composites]]). The MP-RTIP is mounted in a large pod fitted under Proteus. The program, jointly conducted by Northrop Grumman and the Air Force's 851st Electronic Systems Group, is being operated from the [[Mojave Spaceport]].<ref name="did1">[http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2006/05/e10s-mprtip-ground-surveillance-radar-to-test-aboard-proteus/index.php "E-10's MP-RTIP Ground Surveillance Radar to Test Aboard Proteus", ''Defense Industry Daily'', May 17, 2006, accessed April 20, 2007]</ref><ref name="shep1"/>

Eventually, the entire program is expected to cost $2 billion. With the [[Northrop Grumman E-10 MC2A|E-10]] program cancellation, five E-8 JointSTARS aircraft are expected to be retrofitted with the MP-RTIP.<ref name="gs1">[http://www.globalsecurity.org/intell/systems/mp-rtip.htm ''Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program'' at GlobalSecurity.org]</ref> The USAF ended up pursuing cheaper ways to modernize the E-8, though the MP-RTIP receiver technology did see use in the form of JSTARS Radar Modernization (JSRM).<ref>{{cite web |title=JSTARS Replacement: Competition Opened Wide - Defense Industry Daily |url=https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/jumped-up-jstars-mp-rtip-technology-for-ground-surveillance-planes-05156/ |website=www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Radars of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Projects of the United States Air Force]]

Multi-Platform Radar Technology Insertion Program - Revision history

imported>Kahtar: Repair CS1 error(s), replaced: website=https://www. → website=www.