Raytheon / Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinding Radar

History

The AN/TPQ-36 Fire Search Radar system is used to locate the source of enemy firewhether artillery or mortar. The system is a relatively lightweight battlefield component that can detect enemy launches at any angle from a pre-selected 90-degree azimuth sector, providing essentially 360-degree coverage (via manual positioning).

The system can focus on staggered, volumetric fire and simultaneous firing of artillery pieces.

The radar system tracks a 90-degree sector for incoming air threats. Once the most recently fired target is reported/captured, the onboard computer can locate the relative starting point of the fired munition based on the initial trajectory of the fired munition. From there, the artillery commander could directly return fire on suspected enemy positions. The system is capable of tracking enemy (and friendly) mortars, artillery or rockets as needed. Effective tracking distance is less than 15 miles.

The complex designation breaks down as follows: "AN" for Army/Navy (Marines); "T" for system portability; "P" for his radar nature; "Q" for special purpose/general purpose; The required number name is "36".

The system consists of an operation control group designated OK-398/TPQ-36 and an antenna transceiver group designated OY-71/TPQ-36. The AN-TPQ-36 system can be lifted from the air using a helicopter crane.

Specification

BASICS

Year of Service

1990

Origins

United States

Categories

High Mobility Weapon Detection Radar System

Manufacturers

Hughes Aircraft / Raytheon / Northrop Grumman - USA

Carrier

Australia; Portugal; Turkey; Ukraine; USA

Roles

Special weapons for specific characters on the battlefield.

Action

Not applicable.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

Not applicable.

Circle/Feed

Not applicable.

POWER

Maximum efficiency. Arrived

78,672 feet

(23,979 m | 26,224 m)

VARIANTS

AN/TPQ-36 - Designation of basic production model; original production by Hughes (now Raytheon); crew of eight. AN/TPQ-36(V)7 - Adds Modular Azimuth Positioning System (MAPS); crew of six. AN/TPQ-36(V)8 - Enhanced System Performance; manufactured by Northrop Grumman.