US Space Force increases efforts to plug training capabilities gaps
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin is to provide full-rate production AN/TPQ-53 radar systems, plus associated spare parts and services, to ‘various’ unnamed FMS customers under a new $3.27 billion contract announced by the DoD on 31 March.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, previous FMS orders for AN/TPQ-53 included Saudi Arabia (26 units) and Singapore (six), but the DoD did not disclose of these countries are included in the latest contract.
Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of 30 March 2027.
US Army Contracting Command awarded the FMS deal.
The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire target acquisition radar can track incoming rounds at a range of 60km when using its 90° search mode or at 20km range when performing a 360° search.
In C-UAS mode, an IFF interrogator tracks suspicious aircraft and the signal processor allows the system to perform counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) and C-UAS tasks simultaneously.
The service has been seeking simulation and emulation solutions capable of reproducing multiple in-orbit threats.
The service has been conducting several acquisition and upgrading efforts involving artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve communication, data analysis and ISR systems.
The Syracuse 4B communications satellite, developed by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, was launched last year, bolstering secure military satellite communications for the French Armed Forces. Thales has now been selected to provide terminals for vehicles.
The growing importance of space in modern warfare, advancements in satellite technology, and increasing threats from rivals like China and Russia were among the topics of a Eurosatory 2024 panel on military space operations.
AN/ARC-232A is a Starfire radio that provides VHF/UHF communications to airborne platforms and the transceiver is software-programmable, allowing for multiple waveform support as well as optional national electronic counter counter-measure (ECCM) capability.
During the 18-month period of the contract, Lockheed Martin will apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques to create surrogate models of aircraft, sensors, electronic warfare and weapons within dynamic and operationally representative environments.