Country of Origin: United States
Type: Mobile Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System
Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin
Radar System: Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar mounted on a 5-ton FMTV 6×6 truck chassis
Control Shelter: Equipped with operator workstations for data processing and communication
Power Supply: Two diesel generators (primary and backup) mounted on trailers
Frequency Band: S-band (2–4 GHz)
Detection Range:
60° Mode: Up to 20 km
90° Long-Range Optimized Mode (LROM): Up to 60 km
90° Short-Range Optimized Mode (SROM): Up to 25 km
Target Types: Mortars, artillery, rockets, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
Crew: 4 operators
Deployment Time:
Setup: Approximately 5 minutes
Teardown: Approximately 2 minutes
Mobility: Transportable by C-17 aircraft; battlefield mobility provided by two Family of Medium Tactical Vehicle (FMTV) trucks
Description:
The AN/TPQ-53 is a mobile, active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system developed by Lockheed Martin to detect, classify, and track incoming indirect fire such as mortars, artillery shells, and rockets. It provides precise location data of enemy firing positions, enabling effective counterfire responses. The system can operate in both 90-degree and 360-degree modes, offering flexibility in various combat scenarios.
In addition to counterfire missions, the AN/TPQ-53 has demonstrated capabilities in countering unmanned aerial systems (UAS), enhancing its utility on the modern battlefield.
Variants:
AN/TPQ-53 (Baseline): Standard configuration for counterfire target acquisition.
AN/TPQ-53 (GaN-Based): Upgraded version incorporating gallium nitride (GaN) technology for improved performance and reliability. The first GaN-based AN/TPQ-53 was delivered to the U.S. Army in April 2020.
Operators & Users:
Current Operators:
United States Army: Primary operator, with over 170 systems fielded as of 2017.
Ukrainian Armed Forces: Received 20 AN/TPQ-53 systems in 2015, which significantly reduced casualties from enemy indirect fire.
Development Timeline:
- July 2009: First delivery following successful live-fire performance testing.
- September 2011: Designation changed from EQ-36 to AN/TPQ-53.
- June 2013: U.S. Army exercised contract option to complete production of 51 systems.
- April 2020: First GaN-based AN/TPQ-53 delivered to the U.S. Army.
The AN/TPQ-53 represents a significant advancement in counterfire radar technology, offering enhanced detection capabilities, mobility, and adaptability to emerging threats such as drones. Its deployment has improved the effectiveness of counter-battery operations and force protection measures in various operational theaters.
