AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar

AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar is a mobile active electronically scanned array counter-battery radar system manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The radar is specifically designed to locate the firing positions of both rocket and mortar launchers. It has a maximum detection range of 38 mi (61 km) and has an operating frequency of 2–4 GHz.

AN/TPQ-53 phased array radar

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/TPQ-53" designation represents the 53rd design of an Army-Navy electronic device for ground transportable special combination radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.

History

The TPQ-53 radar's delivery on 2 July 2009 followed its successful live-fire performance testing against indirect fire from mortars, artillery and rockets from a simulated enemy. The system has been tested and approved by the US Army. TPQ-53 radar systems will replace the aging TPQ-36 and TPQ-37 medium-range radars now in the Army's inventory. In addition to its counter-fire and counter-drone missions,^[1]

Prior to September 2011 This system was known as EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar.^[2]

In June 2013 the United States Army exercised a contract option to finish out the total production of 51 systems.^[3] After a contract award 24 April 2017 has completed production, the Army will hold more than 170 such systems.^[4] In April 2020 the first GaN based AN/TPQ-53 was delivered to the U.S. Army^[5]

After Russian-backed separatists started operating tanks in Eastern Ukraine, the U.S. started sending military items to Ukraine, including 20 AN/TPQ-53 radar systems in 2015. As a result, Ukraine's units thus equipped had casualty rates decline from 47 percent to around 18 percent. Ukrainian combat expertise with the system led to their providing training to U.S. forces.^[6]

See also

• Electronics portal

• List of radars
• List of military electronics of the United States
• ARTHUR (military)
• AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar
• Swathi Weapon Locating Radar
• Red Color
• Type 704 Radar