An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Organization : Article Display
NEWS | Aug. 15, 2019

Tobyhanna takes on task of sustaining CATR kits

By Ms. Jacqueline Boucher

Team Tobyhanna is helping an Army organization sustain information gathering equipment designed to give Soldiers a clear understanding of the battlefield. 

Electronics Worker Will Fobes confirms Army Close Access Target Reconnaissance (CATR) kits are fully mission capable prior to use in the field. There are thousands of kits in stock -- multiple versions to support multiple missions.

Some of the first kits built when the program began in 2005 are still being used today. Kits can be configured to meet specific mission requirements such as surveillance, information collection or force protection.

"I am excited to be a part of this new workload," Fobes said, explaining this is not a full-time position and he'll be splitting his time between two programs within the program office. "This is a great opportunity to develop new skills while helping Soldiers maintain combat readiness." Fobes works in Tobyhanna's C4ISR Directorate's Avionics Division.

CATR is an assembled kit of technical audio and visual surveillance equipment as well as electronic tagging, tracking and locating (TTL) devices that has been used within the Department of Defense communities to gather information. It is an integrated set of devices, kits, software, support equipment and training that provides the warfighter a technical reconnaissance, surveillance and information-collection capability. Soldiers stationed worldwide can request individual kits be configured based on specific mission requirements.

"I was able to train Will on the steps to follow when someone requests a kit," said Robert Judd, left, field service representative and mobile training team leader who works for Raytheon. "He'll take the kit off the shelf and test it to see if any of the assets need updating." Judd explained that even though years may pass before a kit is requested, the items in the kits have a long life span.