United Arab Emirates cleared by US State Department to buy 18 ANTPQ-50 counterfire radars.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Council on December 4 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the United Arab Emirates of AN/TPQ-50 Radar and related equipment for an estimated cost of $85 million.
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The AN/TPQ-50 counterfire radar provides continuous 360-degree surveillance and 3-D rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) location using a non-rotating, electronically steered antenna (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested to buy eighteen (18) AN/TPQ-50 radar systems – man portable version. Also included are 107mm High Explosive (HE) rockets (for CONUS testing only); Computer Digital Military Laptop Radar Control Display units; 5kW Advanced Medium Mobile Power Source (AMMPS) trailer-mounted, engine power unit PU-2001; spares; mission equipment; communication and navigation equipment; support equipment; repair parts; special tools and test equipment; technical data and publications; site survey; U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $85 million.

The proposed sale will support efforts to protect critical infrastructure and high-value civilian assets, as well as military installations and forces from rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) and unmanned aerial system threats. The UAE will use the TPQ-50 radars to recognize incoming threats from hostile nations or agents of adversary nations.

The principal contractor will be SRC Inc, Syracuse, NY. The implementation of this sale will not require the permanent assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the UAE. Temporary periods of travel for two-week durations for both U.S. Government and contractor personnel will be necessary to conduct Operator/Maintainer training, as well as System Integration & Check Out (SICO)/Quality Assurance and Testing (QUAT) activities.

The AN/TPQ-50 counterfire radar provides continuous 360-degree surveillance and 3-D rocket, artillery and mortar (RAM) location using a non-rotating, electronically steered antenna. When compared to its expeditionary predecessor, it detects targets with flatter trajectories while calculating the point of origin more accurately from a greater distance. Its full azimuth coverage allows it to simultaneously detect and track multiple rounds fired from separate locations within a 700km² surveillance area. The radar can also be configured to scan less than 360 degrees, providing focused sector coverage with more frequent update rates.

Once RAM or improvised munitions are detected, the radar sends an early warning message indicating a round is incoming. It then gathers enough data to accurately locate the point of origin to within 50 meters from more than 10 kilometers away. This information is reported back to an integrated command and control station or short-range air defense system for a counterfire response.

The AN/TPQ-50 system detects incoming RAM from low quadrant elevations. It also provides a more accurate point-of-origin calculation from greater distances than previous models, resulting in a more precise counterfire response.

These enhanced capabilities are delivered in a system weighing less than 500 pounds and standing less than seven feet tall. The radar’s lightweight and small size allow for vehicle-mounted transportability and operation, or rapid emplacement in challenging terrain by installing it on a tripod.

Defense News December 2023