AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar (photo : US Army)
Fighting wars would be a hell of a lot easier if everybody
still just lined up on the field of battle where we can see them. But with the
advent of guerilla tactics and asymmetric warfare, you now need to keep your
head on a swivel in a vicious cockfight—or just let Lockheed Martin's new
mobile radar system watch your back.
Officially known as the AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability
Radar, this truck-mounted mobile radar system is designed to spot and track
incoming mortar, artillery, and rocket fire, then backtrace the enemy's firing
position and the round's estimated impact location based on its trajectory
thanks to a suite of purpose-built ballistics algorithms. This allows our
forces to respond to incoming threats faster while severely limiting the number
of rounds an attacker can get off before being engaged.
The Q-53 is actually composed of two FMTV trucks; the
Mission Essential Group totes the radar itself and the primary 60Kw generator
while the Sustainment Group transports the radar's four operators and a backup
power supply. An encrypted radio channel allows the operators to remain a safe
1km distance from the radar itself, either in the climate-controlled comfort of
the SG truck or in the field using ruggedized Linux-based laptops. This may
seem like a lot of resources for a simple radar setup, but the Q-53 system is
actually quite svelte compared to its predecessor, the Q-36, which needed three
trucks and a crew of six.
"We improved the software and improved the overall
hardware of the system, incorporating lessons learned from the earlier
systems," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel McDonald, Training and
Doctrine Command capability developer and requirements staff officer. "We
developed more robust gears, a rotating platform, an automated leveling system
and an improved air cooled system."
With a selectable 90 or 360-degree field of view and
lightning-fast five-minute setup/two-minute teardown time, the Q-53 is already
being utilized for the defense of counter insurgency operations. It can also be
incorporated into a forward operating base's existing Counter Rocket Artillery
and Mortar (C-RAM) systems, which use the Q-53's ballistics information to
shoot down incoming threats before they hit. The military is also considering
upgrading the Q-53's tracking capabilities, which would allow it to identify
and track larger targets like UAVs.
"These radars systems give a lot of capability to
commanders in the field, especially since we are not fighting a linear fight
anymore," McDonald explained. "This system is easier to emplace,
especially in a high-optempo environment. Now it is all automated, so it
reduces wear and tear on the crew and system. Also, the Q-53 enhances force
protection. It uses an encrypted wireless network able to reach up to 1,000 meters
away, so I can put myself in a tactical operations center, or TOC, or nearby
shelter."
And any of those places should offer a terrific view of
hyper-accurate return fire.
(Gizmodo)
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