Q-53 radars and capabilities contract won by Lockheed Martin
NewsAugust 06, 2019
SYRACUSE, N.Y. The U.S. Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin three contracts to produce additional Q-53 systems and outfit the radar with enhanced capabilities, including extended range and counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) surveillance.
The Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract for a third lot of 15 Full Rate Production systems. Once this contract is delivered, the Army will own 189 Q-53 systems. The Lot 3 systems will continue to be produced using gallium nitride (GaN) transmit-receive modules.
According to the company, this will provide the radar with additional power, reliability, and the possibility for enhanced capabilities including extended range, counterfire target acquisition (CTA) and multi-mission, which delivers simultaneous CTA and air surveillance.
Lockheed Martin was also awarded a contract to enhance the Q-53's CUAS capability. This true multi-mission capability delivers simultaneous counterfire, CUAS, and air surveillance. Lockheed Martin was also awarded a contract by the Army that will extend the operating range of the Q-53 system by utilizing recent technology insertions already available in the radar.
The primary mission of the Q-53 is to protect troops in combat by detecting, classifying, tracking, and identifying the location of enemy indirect fire in either 90 or 360-degree modes.
