Group : Communications Devices
Status : Active
Also Known As : Joint Radio Relay
Origin : United States of America
Total Production : ?

The ground-based Joint Radio Relay (JR2) communications system connects airborne to ground platforms featuring similar capabilities to the E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft. One JR2 communications relay system is contained within 20- by 10- by 15-foot (6x3x4.5 meters) van. The system itself was designed to replace E-3s helping the US Air Force saving money compared with very expensive E-3 flight hours performing as airborne communications relay. Typically, one JR2 unit needs a crew of five persons and a single can be set up within four hours.

Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan took profit from JR2 deployment. Only five JR2s were necessary to address the communications relay concern throughout Afghanistan with around 80 percent of the flying aircraft connected to ground control stations through such a system. The US Air Force estimated that using JR2 instead of E-3s saved $240,000 a day.