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AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 Counterfire target acquisition radar system
 
 
 
AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 counterfire target acquisition radar system technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images video information US U.S. Army United States American Lockheed Martin defence industry military technology
 
Description
The AN/TPQ-53 is a counterfire target acquisition radar designed and manufactured by the U.S. Company Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Army changed the designation of the Enhanced AN / TPQ-36 (EQ-36) radar to the AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) radar in September 2011. This is a new generation of counterfire sensor with the flexibility to adapt to uncooperative adversaries and changing missions. This innovative sensor is replacing the aging AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 medium-range radars now in the Army’s inventory. The Q-53 is mobile, maneuverable, fully supportable and easily maintained. The Q-53 is also IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) compatible in countering rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks. Compared to currently deployed systems, the new, battle-tested Q-53 offers enhanced performance, including greater mobility, increased reliability and supportability, a lower life-cycle cost, reduced crew size, and the ability to track targets in a full-spectrum environment, a vital capability on today’s battlefield. Based on early successes from its January 2007 development contract, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin an accelerated contract for 12 initial production EQ-36 systems in July 2008 followed by another order for 20 systems under an April 2010 contract. Since 2010, the Lockheed Martin AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) counterfire target acquisition radar has been successfully deployed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan providing U.S. Army soldiers with enhanced protection from indirect fire. In October 2013, the US DSCA announces Singapore’s export request for up to 6 AN/TPQ-53(V) Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar Systems (CTARS) with 120 degree sector scan capability, along with generators, power units, a simulator, a live fire exercise, tool and test equipment, spare and repair parts, repair & return services, software support, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, communication support equipment, personnel training, and other forms of US Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $179 million.
 
Variants
- No variants at this time.
 
Technical Data
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Radar
The radar is mounted at the rear of a 5-ton FMTV 6x6 truck chassis. The Q-53 is a mobile radar system designed to detect, classify, and track projectiles fired from mortar, artillery, and rocket systems using a 90-degree or continuous 360-degree sector search. The radar provides target location of threat indirect fire systems with sufficient accuracy for effective counterfire.
 
AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 counterfire target acquisition radar system technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images video information US U.S. Army United States American Lockheed Martin defence industry military technology
Features
The Target Acquisition Subsystem contains the radar on a single prime mover and tows the power generator. This package performs all essential missions of the Q-53 for short durations. A second prime mover carries an operations control shelter, backup power generator, and two additional soldiers to provide a sustained operations capability.
Mobility
Mounted on its M1083 5-ton FMTV prime mover, the Q-53 can be rapidly deployed and integrated into the tactical battlefield with heavy, medium and light forces. FMTV truck enhances tactical mobility and is strategically deployable in C-5, C-17, and C-130 military transport aircraft. The 5-ton FMTV is powered by 6-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engine coupled to an Allison automatic transmission. The M1083 FMTV truck can run at a maximum speed of 89 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 480 km. The cab is equipped with an armour kit to provide protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
Combat use
An AN/TPQ-53 radar system is actually made up of 2 vehicles. One FMTV truck is the Mission Essential Group, containing the radar antenna and the power generator. The second FMTV truck carries the Sustainment Group, with a climate controlled operations shelter and backup power generator. Automation and built-in test sensors means that only 4 soldiers can operate the system, with an emplacement time of 5 minutes and a displacement time of just 2 minutes. This compares to 3 HMMWVs and 6 people for the previous TPQ-36v8 system; or 2 FMTV trucks, 2 HMMWVs, and 13 people for the TPQ-37v8.
The solid-state phased array AN/TPQ-53 radar system or, “Q-53”, detects, classifies, tracks and determines the location of enemy indirect fire in either 360- or 90-degree modes. Adapting to mission requirements, soldiers can operate the Q-53 remotely using a laptop computer or from the fully equipped climate-controlled shelter. The radar’s software enables it to interface directly with the Army Battle Command Systems.
 
Specifications
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Type
Counterfire target acquisition radar
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Country users
United States, Singapore
Designer Company
Lockheed Martin
Accessories
Armor cab, power generator
Crew
2 + 2 soldiers
Radar detection range
- 20 km on 360° search mode
- 60 km on 90° search mode
Weight Truck
8,889 kg
Speed truck
89 km/h
Range truck
480 km
Dimensions truck
Lenght: 6.93 m; Width: 2.43 m; Height: 2.84 m
 
Details View
 
AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 counterfire target acquisition radar system technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images video information US U.S. Army United States American Lockheed Martin defence industry military technology
 
     
Mission Essential Group vehicle
AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 counterfire target acquisition radar system technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images video information US U.S. Army United States American Lockheed Martin defence industry military technology
The first vehicle FMTV truck of AN-TPQ-53 radar system is the Mission Essential Group, containing the radar antenna and the power generator.
     
Sustainment Group vehicle
AN/TPQ-53 Q-53 counterfire target acquisition radar system technical data sheet specifications information description intelligence identification pictures photos images video information US U.S. Army United States American Lockheed Martin defence industry military technology
The second FMTV truck carries of AN-TPQ-53 radar system, the Sustainment Group, with a climate controlled operations shelter and backup power generator.
Pictures - Video
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