Lockheed Martin receives counterfire radar order
Lockheed Martin is to supply additional AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) long-range counterfire radars to the US Army under a $206 million contract announced on 26 August.
The company will supply 19 Q-53 systems under this order. Lockheed Martin was awarded the original competitive development contract for the Q-53 radar in 2007. Since then it has supplied 32 initial production systems to the US Army, and a further 33 systems are currently in production under a March 2012 order.
The Q-53, formerly designated as EQ-36, is mounted on a five-ton truck and can be rapidly deployed, automatically levelled and remotely operated with a laptop computer or from a fully equipped climate-controlled command vehicle. The system provides soldiers with enhanced 360-degree protection from indirect fire such as mortars, artillery and rockets.
Lee Flake, program director for counterfire target acquisition radar programs, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training, said: ‘The Q-53 radar is helping to save the lives of US forces through its exceptional performance in theatre. Deployed since 2010, we have listened to feedback from our soldiers to ensure the system meets operational demands and is evolving to stay ahead of global threats.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![“Creating a decision advantage”: how C-UAS is evolving to reduce the operator burden]()
“Creating a decision advantage”: how C-UAS is evolving to reduce the operator burden
In Conversation… Speaking to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan, Dr Brian Shand, Director – Advanced Concepts & Technology at L3Harris, explains how, as operators face growing numbers of low-cost drones, C-UAS providers must focus on reducing operator workload, transforming fragmented sensor data into effective decision-making.
-
![British Army faces AFV capability gaps despite Boxer and Ajax deliveries]()
British Army faces AFV capability gaps despite Boxer and Ajax deliveries
The British Army continues to face gaps in its armoured fighting vehicle fleet, with replacement plans for Warrior and FV432 still unresolved despite ongoing deliveries of Boxer and Ajax.
-
![US pours another $23 billion into Arsenal of Freedom to ramp up missile production]()
US pours another $23 billion into Arsenal of Freedom to ramp up missile production
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is spending billions of dollars to accelerate missile production to meet demands from the war against Iran and requirements in Ukraine. Manufacture of SM-3 and PAC-3 interceptors is being ramped up, alongside a $22.9 billion commitment to Tomahawk cruise missiles.
-
![Rheinmetall advances longer 155mm ordnance with 30% range increase]()
Rheinmetall advances longer 155mm ordnance with 30% range increase
Rheinmetall has begun initial firing trials of a new 155mm/60-calibre artillery ordnance that could deliver up to 30% greater range than its existing 155mm/52-calibre system, as production of the current gun expands across Germany and the UK.
