AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar

AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar in Bosnia, 1996

Hughes AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Weapon Locating System is a mobile radar system developed by Hughes Aircraft Company and currently manufactured by ThalesRaytheonSystems. The system is a long-range version of “weapon-locating radar,” designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire. It is currently in service at brigade and higher levels in the United States Army and by other countries. The radar is trailer-mounted and towed by a 2⅓-ton truck. A typical AN/TPQ-37 system consists of the Antenna-Transceiver Group, Command Shelter and 60 kW Generator.

Operation

The AN/TPQ-37 is an electronically steered radar, meaning the radar does not actually move while in operation. The radar scans a 90-degree sector for incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire. Upon detecting a possible incoming round, the system verifies the contact before initiating a track sequence, continuing to search for new targets. The incoming round/rocket is tracked during its initial upward/launch trajectory (i.e., the linear portion of its flight path) prior to reaching apogee. A computer program analyzes the track data and then extrapolates the round’s point of origin. This calculated point of origin is then reported to the operator with map coordinates, thus allowing friendly artillery to direct counterbattery fire towards the enemy artillery. The system has a reported range of up to 50 kilometers. The system may also be operated in a friendly fire mode to determine the accuracy of counterbattery return fire.

Main Characteristics

Capabilities

Specifications

Features

Manufacturer

Before acquisition by Raytheon, the Hughes Aircraft Co. developed the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar at its Fullerton, California facility, and manufactures it at its Forest, Mississippi plant.

Upgrades

ROCS for AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37

The 'radar operational control system upgrade' is manufactured by BES Electronic Systems Ltd in Israel

Nomenclature

Per the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the nomenclature AN/TPQ-37 is thus derived:

See also

References

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