Joint Surveillance System


The Joint Surveillance System is a joint United States Air Force and Federal Aviation Administration system for the atmospheric air defense of North America. It replaced the Semi Automatic Ground Environment system in 1983.

Overview

The JSS consists of long range surveillance radars, primarily operated and maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration, but providing communication and radar data to both FAA and United States Air Force control centers.

Air Route Surveillance Radar

FAA equipment is primarily a mixture of Long Range Air Route Surveillance Radars of various types, although some use legacy AN/FPS radars. They are co-located with UHF ground-air-ground transmitter/receiver facilities at many locations. Fourteen sites have VHF radios as well. The GATR facility provides radio access to fighters and Airborne early warning and control aircraft from the Sector Operations Control Centers. The JSS has been enhanced under the FAA/Air Force Radar Replacement Program with 44 ARSR-4/FPS-130 radars to replace some of the many previous long-range radars. This provides common, high-performance, unattended radars. The ARSR-4/FPS-130 is a 3-D long range radar with an effective detection range of some 250 miles and has been fully integrated with JSS at all joint use sites.
These radars are generally unattended except for periodic FAA maintenance crews which visit the sites as necessary. Hence, the 117 was also known as "minimally attended radar".

Sector Operations Control Centers

The USAF Air Combat Command portion of the JSS is composed of three Continental United States Sector Operations Control Centers equipped with Battle Control System-Fixed displays. Three of the SOCCs are located in the Continental United States at the following locations:
A SOCC is located in Alaska at Elmendorf AFB, in Hawaii at Wheeler Field and two in Canada at CFB North Bay, Ontario. The mission of the SOCC network is peacetime air sovereignty and surveillance. Wartime functions are available if necessary. The SOCCs accept data from multiple sensors, automatically process this data and display data for detection, tracking and identification of air targets, and the assignment and direction of interceptor aircraft to ensure peacetime air sovereignty.
Each SOCC functions as the primary command and control center in each NORAD region during crisis or attack as long as they are capable.
CONUS SOCCs receive data from 46 JSS radar sites. Radar sites of the Alaska Radar System feeds data to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and two radar sites supply data for the SOCC at Hickam Field, Hawaii. Radars from the North Warning System network in Canada feed data to two Canadian SOCCs located at CFB North Bay, Ontario.
Command and control can be transitioned to the E-3A Airborne early warning and control for survivability as the tactical situation warrants. In peacetime, six of these aircraft are assigned to co-operate with the JSS. ROCC information is also passed to the North American Air Defense Command Combat Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Radar stations

Site NumberNORAD-IDNameStateRadar TypeLocationUSAF SectorFAA SectorNotes
QPCHaleyvilleALAN/FPS-67BEADSASO SouthernRadar developed by Raytheon for SAGE system.
MGMMontgomeryALARSR-1DEADSASO SouthernIn rural area, southeast of Montgomery.
QXRZ-237RussellvilleARAN/FPS-64AWADSASW SouthwestFormer ADCOM SAGE radar site, still uses the FPS-64A.
TXKTexarkanaARAN/FPS-67BWADSASW SouthwestReplaced ADCOM SAGE Texarkana AFS M-91 site
PHXZ-247Humboldt Mountain, Phoenix ARSRAZARSR-1EAWP WESTERN PACIFICOpened 1958 at Forest Ranger Lookout site.
J-29AAjoAZARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestOpened 2000 at former ADCOM Ajo AFS site, replaced J-29 near Phoenix
QXPSeligmanAZARSR-3WADSAWP Western PacificRemote site on top of mountain peak.
J-83Z-33Crescent CityCAAWP Western PacificFormer ADCOM Klamath AFS, Closed 1995, replaced by J-83A
J-83ARainbow RidgeCAARSR-4WADSAWP Western PacificReplaced J-83 and J-34. Remote site on top of mountain peak.
J-34Z-37Point ArenaCAAWP Western PacificFormer ADCOM SAGE Point Arena AFS, closed 1995. Replaced by J-83A
QMVZ-38Mill ValleyCAARSR-4WADSAWP Western PacificFormer ADCOM SAGE Mill Valley AFS, inactivated 1980. Now FAA site.
J-32Z-236Paso RoblesCAARSR-4WADSAWP Western PacificFAA site since 1960. Former USAF SAGE site Z-236, replacing Cambria AFS, Became JSS site in 1980
J-31Z-39San PedroCAAWP Western PacificFormer ADCOM San Pedro Hill AFS inactivated 1995. JSS site closed, replaced by Navy ARSR-4 site J-36A on San Clemente Island.
J-36ASan Clemente Island CAARSR-4WADSAWP Western PacificNew site established in late 1990s located on very remote location.
J-30Z-76Mount LagunaCAARSR-4WADSAWP Western PacificReplaced ADCOM Mount Laguna AFS inactivated 1991. Second ARSR-4 installation
J-35Vandenberg AFBCAARSR-4WADSUSAF JSS site
DNVZ-212DenverCOARSR-1DWADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1963 by FAA, was data tied-into the ADCOM SAGE network.
GJCZ-215Grand JunctionCOARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1963 by FAA, was data tied-into the ADCOM SAGE network.
TCOZ-222TrinidadCOARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1963 by FAA, was data tied-into the ADCOM SAGE network.
J-04Z-327Whitehouse NOLFFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernReplaced ADCOM M-114 SAGE site at NAS Jacksonville inactivated 1981.
J-05Z-211Patrick AFBFLASO SouthernFormer ADCOM SAGE site, inactivated 1988. Used until 1996 by FAA.
J-05AMelbourneFLARSR-4WADSASO SouthernReplaced J-05 with new ARSR-4 installation.
J-06Z-210RichmondFLARSR-1FASO SouthernFormer ADCOM Richmond AFS, closed 1992, destroyed by Hurricane Andrew
J-06ATamiamiFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernReplaced destroyed J-06 by FAA at new location with ARSR-4 radar.
J-07Z-209NAS Key WestFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernADCOM SAGE site closed 1979, now joint-use Navy/FAA radar
J-09Z-330Fort LonesomeFLASO SouthernOpened in 1980 replacing ADCOM SAGE site M-129 at MacDill AFB. Closed 1998
J-09AFort GreenFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernIn agricultural area east-southeast of Tampa.
J-10Z-333Cross CityFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernNew site opened in 1980 replaced ADCOM SAGE Cross City AFS TM-200.
J-11Z-198Tyndall AFBFLARSR-4EADSASO SouthernOpened in 1983, replaced ADCOM TM-198 site on the base.
QHNAshburnGAARSR-1EEADSASO SouthernIn rural location, east-northeast of Albany, GA
QNKLincolntonGAARSR-3EADSASO SouthernReplaced ADCOM SAGE site at Aiken AFS, South Carolina
QJOArlingtonIAARSR-3WADSACE CentralIn rural location, east-northeast of Waterloo, IA
QVAAshtonIDARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened 1963. On Sawtell Peak south-southwest of Yellowstone National Park Airport, ID
BOIZ-223BoiseIDARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1963 by FAA. Located atop Snowbank Mountain. Began feeding information into the ADCOM SAGE network in 1963.
JOLElwoodILARSR-3EADSAGL Great LakesIn rural location, south of Joilet, IL
Z-63Hanna CityILARSREADSAGL Great LakesFAA site since 1969, former Hanna City AFS
INDIndianapolisINARSR-1EEADSAGL Great LakesIn urban area, north of Indianapolis International Airport; 7102 Howard St, Indianapolis, IN 46241
QTZLa GrangeINARSR-1EEADSAGL Great LakesLocated in suburbs, south of La Grange, IN.
GCKZ-226Garden CityKSARSR-2WADSACE CentralFAA site since 1964 in highly agricultural area, was data tied-into the ADCOM SAGE network. south of Garden City, KS.
QBZOskaloosaKSARSR-2WADSACE CentralIn rural area, north of Lawrence, KS.
J-14Z-248Lake Charles AFSLAASW SouthwestFormer ADCOM SAGE site at former Lake Charles AFB. Closed in the 1990s and moved to J-14A
J-14ALake CharlesLAARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestNew site located in rural area east-northeast of former site.
J-13Z-246SlidellLAARSR-4EADSASW SouthwestFormer ADCOM SAGE site, on north side of Lake Pontchartrain, north-northeast of New Orleans
QHACummingtonMAAN/FPS-66BEADSANE New EnglandLocated atop Bryant Mountain. Using ADCOM SAGE radar.
J-53Z-10North TruroMAARSR-4EADSANE New EnglandOn former ADCOM North Truro AFS closed in 1994.
J-54Z-110Bucks HarborMEARSR-4EADSANE New EnglandOn former ADCOM Bucks Harbor AFS closed in 1979
J-63CaribouMEARSR-4EADSANE New EnglandFormer Army Nike IFC L-58C of Loring AFB Defense Area. It was run by personnel from the 2192nd Communication Squadron.
CPVCoopersvilleMIAN/FPS-66EADSAGL Great LakesUsing ADCOM SAGE Radar
J-58Z-34EmpireMIARSR-4EADSAGL Great LakesFormer ADCOM Empire AFS. Became a USAF-FAA joint-use site in 1964, USAF inactivated 1978
J-62Z-397CantonMIARSR-4EADSAGL Great LakesFirst, was a temporary data-tie. Now a permanent data-tie site in the JSS, replacing Port Austin AFS.
QJEMinneapolisMNARSR-1EWADSAGL Great LakesLocated south-southwest of Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in urban area. Address is 13591 Harwell Path Apple Valley, MN 55124
J-60Z-306NashwaukMNARSR-4WADSAGL Great LakesNew FAA/USAF JSS radar site; replaced Finland AFS, MN and Baudette AFS, MN.
QJCTylerMNARSR-2WADSAGL Great LakesIn rural area of southwest Minnesota, west-southwest of Minneapolis.
STLSt. LouisMOARSR-1EWADSACE CentralIn urban area, address is 2310 Ashby Rd St Louis, MO 63114
QMHNewportMSARSR-3EADSASO SouthernIn very rural area
J-77Z-147Malmstrom AFBMTANM Northwest MountainADCOM site closed 1996, Moved to J-77A.
J-77ABootlegger RidgeMTARSR-4WADSANM Northwest MountainReplacement JSS site for Malmstrom AFB radar site ; Bootlegger Ridge ARSR-4 site is about 7 miles northeast of Great Falls.
J-78Z-179Lakeside MTARSR-4WADSANM Northwest MountainLocated at former ADCOM Kalispell AFS.
QRLBensonNCARSR-1EEADSASO SouthernFAA long-range radar site. Also known as Raleigh. Once considered as the JSS replacement for the ADCOM SAGE Fort Fisher AFS, NC.
QRMCharlotteNCARSR-1EADSASO SouthernIn rural area, southeast of Hickory, NC
J-02Z-115Fort FisherNCARSR-4EADSASO SouthernFort Fisher AFS was an active ADCOM site until 1988; FAA site at former GATR facility.
J-75Z-303FinleyNDARSR-4WADSAGL Great LakesOpened November 1979 at new JSS site, replacing the original Finley AFS, ND.
J-76Z-300Watford CityNDARSR-4WADSAGL Great LakesNew FAA/USAF JSS radar site; replaced Fortuna AFS, ND, Minot AFS, ND, & Opheim AFS, MT. Site is located at the former Alexander, ND, gap-filler radar site, Z-177B / Z-28E.
QHOZ-71OmahaNEANFPS-67AWADSACE CentralFAA site since 1968, former Omaha Air Force Station
NPLZ-217North PlatteNEARSR-2WADSACE CentralFAA site since 1963, Former ADCOM SAGE site Z-217
J-51Z-63GibbsboroNJARSR-4EADSAEA EasternFormer ADCOM Gibbsboro AFS. USAF site closed 1984
GALZ-221GallupNMARSR-2WADSASW SouthwestOpened 1963 by FAA. Former ADCOM SAGE site Z-221. Also known as Farmington, NM; located above Washington Pass, north of Gallup.
QWCZ-234Mesa RicaNMARSR-1EWADSASW SouthwestFormer ADCOM SAGE site Z-234.
J-28Z-245Silver CityNMASW SouthwestClosed 1990s Located atop Brushy Mountain. Part of the 1972 Southern Air Defense System. Now replaced by new ARSR-4 JSS site at Deming, NM.
J-28ADemingNMARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestReplaced JSS site at Silver City, NM.
BTMZ-214Battle MountainNVARSR-2WADSAWP Western PacificLocated on top of Mount Lewis, south of Battle Mountain. Earlier known as Elko.
J-52Z-315RiverheadNYARSR-4EADSAEA Eastern'New' FAA/USAF JSS radar site; replaced Montauk AFS, LI, NY.
J-55Z-312RemsenNYARSR-4EADSAEA EasternNew FAA/USAF JSS radar site; replaced Watertown AFS, NY. Also called 'Starr Hill.
J-56Z-309DansvilleNYARSR-1EEADSAEA EasternReplaced Lockport AFS, NY.
QDBBrecksvilleOHARSR-1EEADSAGL Great LakesLocated south of Cleveland.
QWOLondonOHARSR-1EEADSAGL Great LakesLocated southwest of London, OH.
OEXOklahoma CityOKARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestFAA ARSR-4 Training Site. Located about a mile west of the Will Rogers World Airport.
QVNFossilORARSR-3WADSANM Northwest MountainOn remote mountaintop, east-southeast of Portland, OR
J-81Z-345SalemORARSR-4WADSANM Northwest MountainFormer ADCOM SAGE site. Also known as Laurel Mtn. and Dallas, OR. New FAA/USAF JSS radar site; replaced Mount Hebo AFS, OR. FPS-90 came from Keno AFS, OR ; modified to FPS-116. First operational JSS site in the 25th NORAD Region, 1 May 1979, as OL AJ / 25th ADS.
QCFClearfieldPAARSR-3EADSAEA EasternLocated west of Clearfield, PA in rural area.
J-61TrevosePAARSR-1AEA EasternTemporary data-tie. Then became a 'permanent' replacement for Z-63 until Gibbsboro re-opened with its ARSR-4 and closed in mid 1990s.
J-03Z-324JedburgSCARSR-4EADSASO SouthernReplaced North Charleston AFS, SC.
QOJZ-235JoeltonTNARSR-1EEADSASO SouthernFormer ADCOM Joelton AFS closed in 1961 and taken over by FAA.
QYBZ-233MemphisTNARSR-1EADSASO SouthernFormer ADCOM SAGE Site Z-233.
QYSRogersTXARSR-1EWADSASW SouthwestIn rural area, west-northwest of Rogers, TX
J-27Z-244El PasoTXWADSASW SouthwestLocated in Horizon City, TX. Activated in 1963 part of Southern Air Defense System. Closed in 1997, replaced by new ARSR-4 JSS sites at Eagle Peak, TX and at Deming, NM.
J-27AEagle PeakTXARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestNew site opened in late 1990s replacing J-27, SE of El Paso, TX in remote location on top of mountain.
J-15Z-240Ellington AFBTXWADSASW SouthwestADCOM SAGE site closed in 1979. FAA took over, closed 1997. Now replaced by new ARSR-4 JSS site at Morales, TX.
FTWZ-231KellerTXARSR-1DWADSASW SouthwestAlso known as Fort Worth. Opened in 1960s, still using ARSR-1D.
J-15AMoralesTXARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestReplaced Ellington ANGB, TX, radar site, north-northeast of Corpus Christi, TX
J-26Z-242OdessaTXASW SouthwestClosed 1995, replaced by new ARSR-4 JSS site at King Mountain, TX.
J-26AKing MountainTXARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestReplaced JSS site at Odessa / Andrews, TX ; located in remote West Texas.
J-16Z-242OiltonTXARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestOpened in 1972 as part of the Southern Air Defense System ; Later ADCOM site 630th RADS OL-B, inactivated 31 December 1977.
J-25Z-339SonoraTXARSR-3ASW SouthwestFormer ADCOM SAGE site, closed 1995, Now replaced by Rocksprings, TX, ARSR-4 JSS site.
J-25ARockspringsTXARSR-4WADSASW SouthwestReplaced JSS Site at Sonora, TX.
CDRZ-216Cedar CityUTARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1962 by FAA
SLCZ-213Francis PeakUTARSR-1EWADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1962 by FAA. Also called "Salt Lake City"
QHZHoriconWIARSR-2EADSAGL Great LakesIn central Wisconsin in primarily agricultural area.
QBNBinns HallVAARSR-3EADSAEA EasternOnce considered as the JSS replacement for Cape Charles AFS, VA.
J-01Z-321NAS OceanaVAARSR-4EADSAEA EasternFormer ADCOM SAGE site, now FAA/USAF/Navy JSS radar site; replaced Cape Charles AFS, VA.
J-50Z-318The PlainsVAARSR-3EADSAEA EasternOpened in 1980. Replaced the ADCOM radar site at Fort Meade, MD and the FAA radar site at Suitland, MD.
J-79Z-151Mica PeakWAARSR-4WADSANM Northwest MountainFormer ADCOM Mica Peak AFS, deactivated in July 1975. Site transferred to FAA.
J-80Z-44MakahWAARSR-4WADSANM Northwest MountainFormer ADCOM Makah AFS, closed in 1982. Now USAF/FAA JSS site.
QSIZ-224LovellWYARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainLocated on Medicine Mountain. Earlier known as Cody.
LSKZ-219LuskWYARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1963 by FAA
RKSZ-218Rock SpringsWYARSR-2WADSANM Northwest MountainOpened in 1962 by FAA