AN/TPQ-53 radar tracks UAS
The AN/TPQ-53 counter-fire radar has demonstrated its ability to identify and track UAS and pass that information to a command and control (C2) node, providing both air surveillance and counter fire target acquisition, Lockheed Martin announced on 27 June.
The demonstration was carried out as part of the US Army’s Maneuver and Fires Integration Experiment (MFIX) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
The ability for radar to track UAS and pass off information to C2 is a key capability as the battlespace becomes more crowded with aerial threats.
The AN/TPQ-53 radar identified and tracked several UAS and provided data to Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control. At the same time the radar carried out its original mission, providing accurate targeting data on rockets, artillery and mortars, providing a multi-mission radar (MMR) capability.
The Q-53 is a solid-state phased array radar system designed to detect, classify, track and determine the location of enemy indirect fire in either 360- or 90-degree modes.
Rick Herodes, Q-53 program director, Lockheed Martin, said: ‘The demonstration showed that the Q-53 radar can provide soldiers in combat real time awareness of air threats. The inherent flexibility of the Q-53’s active electronically scanned array (AESA) hardware architecture allows us to constantly evolve the Q-53’s software to deal with emerging threats. This demonstration provided further verification that the Q-53 enables the warfighter to stay ahead of changing global threats.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces]()
British Army’s ISR commander warns of new challenges facing defence forces
The race between using ISR and resisting the use of it by enemies has accelerated, leading to new methods and systems being required, according to the British Army’s lead on its ISR efforts.
-
![Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer]()
Push for greater use of open source data, says senior British officer
The huge amount of open source data available may not carry the weight of secret sources but it does carry substantial value, according to speakers at Defence IQ C4ISR Global conference in London.
-
![Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract]()
Jacobs wins MoD cyber-security support contract
The deal with Jacobs will run until November 2027 and will see the company deliver a range of digital and IT specialist professional services to Defence Digital.
-
![Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing]()
Orbit upgrades two multi-purpose terminals and carries out land testing
The communications company has upgraded two of its Beyond Line-of-Sight Multi-Purpose Terminals (MBTs) by introducing advancements in satellite communication technology and AI-driven maintenance capabilities.
-
![Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg]()
Norway to receive maritime surveillance satellite data from Kongsberg
Norway's Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace has announced that its subsidiary Kongsberg NanoAvionics will produce three satellites and launch them in 2025.
-
![First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched]()
First South Korean 425 Project observation satellite launched
In 2015, South Korea named a consortium of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Hanwha Systems, along with Thales Alenia Space providing the SAR payload derived from its HE-R1000 product, as preferred bidder to develop new Korea 425 Project reconnaissance satellites.
