The AN/TPQ-53 is a counterfire target acquisition radar designed and manufactured by the U.S. Company Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Army changed the designation of the Enhanced AN / TPQ-36 (EQ-36) radar to the AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) radar in September 2011. This is a new generation of counterfire sensor with the flexibility to adapt to uncooperative adversaries and changing missions.
Country users: Singapore , United States
Technical Data
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Radar
The radar is mounted at the rear of a 5-ton FMTV 6x6 truck chassis. The Q-53 is a mobile radar system designed to detect, classify, and track projectiles fired from mortar, artillery, and rocket systems using a 90-degree or continuous 360-degree sector search. The radar provides target location of threat indirect fire systems with sufficient accuracy for effective counterfire.
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Features
The Target Acquisition Subsystem contains the radar on a single prime mover and tows the power generator. This package performs all essential missions of the Q-53 for short durations. A second prime mover carries an operations control shelter, backup power generator, and two additional soldiers to provide a sustained operations capability.
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Mobility
Mounted on its M1083 5-ton FMTV prime mover, the Q-53 can be rapidly deployed and integrated into the tactical battlefield with heavy, medium and light forces. FMTV truck enhances tactical mobility and is strategically deployable in C-5, C-17, and C-130 military transport aircraft. The 5-ton FMTV is powered by 6-cylinder Caterpillar diesel engine coupled to an Allison automatic transmission. The M1083 FMTV truck can run at a maximum speed of 89 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 480 km. The cab is equipped with an armour kit to provide protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters.
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Combat Use
An AN/TPQ-53 radar system is actually made up of 2 vehicles. One FMTV truck is the Mission Essential Group, containing the radar antenna and the power generator. The second FMTV truck carries the Sustainment Group, with a climate controlled operations shelter and backup power generator. Automation and built-in test sensors means that only 4 soldiers can operate the system, with an emplacement time of 5 minutes and a displacement time of just 2 minutes. This compares to 3 HMMWVs and 6 people for the previous TPQ-36v8 system; or 2 FMTV trucks, 2 HMMWVs, and 13 people for the TPQ-37v8.
The solid-state phased array AN/TPQ-53 radar system or, “Q-53”, detects, classifies, tracks and determines the location of enemy indirect fire in either 360- or 90-degree modes. Adapting to mission requirements, soldiers can operate the Q-53 remotely using a laptop computer or from the fully equipped climate-controlled shelter. The radar’s software enables it to interface directly with the Army Battle Command Systems
Mission Essential Group vehicle
The first vehicle FMTV truck of AN-TPQ-53 radar system is the Mission Essential Group, containing the radar antenna and the power generator.
Sustainment Group vehicle
The second FMTV truck carries of AN-TPQ-53 radar system, the Sustainment Group, with a climate controlled operations shelter and backup power generator.
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