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{{Short description|American mobile radar system}}
{{Distinguish|AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar|BEL Weapon Locating Radar|Type 704 Radar|AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2015}}


[[File:AN TPQ-36.jpg|right|thumb|AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]
[[File:AN TPQ-36.jpg|right|thumb|AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar]]


'''Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon locating system''' is a mobile [[radar]] system developed in the mid-late 1970s by [[Hughes Aircraft Company]] and manufactured by [[Northrop Grumman]] and [[ThalesRaytheonSystems]], achieving initial operational capability in May, 1982. The system is a "weapon-locating radar", designed to detect and track incoming mortar, artillery and rocket fire [[Counter-battery radar|to determine the point of origin for counterbattery fire]]. It is currently in service at [[battalion]] and higher levels in the [[United States Army]], [[United States Marine Corps]] and [[Australian Army]]. Also [[Turkish Army]] , [[Portugal]] and [[Armed Forces of Ukraine|Ukrainian Army]]<ref>[https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-uses-us-radar-to-monitor-cease-fire-violations/28942397.html Ukraine Monitors Cease-Fire Violations With U.S.-Supplied Radars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227232657/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-uses-us-radar-to-monitor-cease-fire-violations/28942397.html |date=2017-12-27 }}, [[Radio Free Europe]] (27 December 2017)</ref> are among the users.
'''Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon locating system''' is a mobile [[radar]] system developed in the mid-late 1970s by [[Hughes Aircraft Company]] and manufactured by [[Northrop Grumman]] and [[ThalesRaytheonSystems]], achieving initial operational capability in May 1982. The system is a "weapon-locating radar", designed to detect and track incoming mortar, artillery and rocket fire [[Counter-battery radar|to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire]]. It is currently in service at [[battalion]] and higher levels in the [[United States Army]], [[United States Marine Corps]], [[Australian Army]], [[Portuguese Army]], [[Turkish Army]], and the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-uses-us-radar-to-monitor-cease-fire-violations/28942397.html | title = Ukraine Monitors Cease-Fire Violations With U.S.-Supplied Radars | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171227232657/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-uses-us-radar-to-monitor-cease-fire-violations/28942397.html |date=2017-12-27 | work = [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] | agency = [[Reuters]], [[Voice of America|VOA]] | archive-date =2017-12-27 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all}}</ref>


The radar is typically trailer-mounted and towed by a [[Humvee]].
The radar is typically trailer-mounted and towed by a [[Humvee]].


==Upgrades==
==Upgrades==
Firefinder (V)7 adds a modular azimuth position system (MAPS). MAPS has a [[gyrocompass|north seeking laser gyrocompass]] and a microprocessor controlled Honeywell H-726 [[inertial navigation system]]. Prior Firefinders used a survey team to find site [[latitude]], [[longitude]], and direction to North. With MAPS, reaction time was limited only by site set-up, since system geo-position was pre-loaded before [[sortie]] deployment. Crew was reduced from 8 to 6.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=U. S. Army Depot Command|first1=Sacramento Army Depot|title=FIREFINDER AN/TPQ-6 (V) 7 BLOCK IIB|journal=Preliminary Design Review|date=8 January 1991|page=SYSTEM INTEGRATION}}</ref>
Firefinder (V)7 adds a Modular Azimuth Position System (MAPS). MAPS has a [[gyrocompass|north seeking laser gyrocompass]] and a microprocessor controlled Honeywell H-726 [[inertial navigation system]]. Prior Firefinders used a survey team to find site [[latitude]], [[longitude]], and direction to North. With MAPS, reaction time was limited only by the time taken to set up the site, since system geo-position was pre-loaded before [[sortie]] deployment. Crew was reduced from 8 to 6.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=U. S. Army Depot Command|first1=Sacramento Army Depot|title=FIREFINDER AN/TPQ-36 (V) 7 BLOCK IIB|journal=Preliminary Design Review|date=8 January 1991|page=SYSTEM INTEGRATION}}</ref>


Firefinder (V)8 extends system performance, improves operator survivability and lowers life cycle cost. Greater processing power and the addition of a low noise amplifier to the radar antenna improves detection range (by up to 50%) and performance accuracy against certain threats.
Firefinder (V)8 extends system performance, improves operator survivability and lowers life cycle cost. Greater processing power and the addition of a low noise amplifier to the radar antenna improves detection range (by up to 50%) and performance accuracy against certain threats.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}


==Operations/maintainers/specifications==
==Operations/maintainers/specifications==
[[File:US delivers two Q-36 counter battery radar systems to Ukraine.jpg|thumb|Delivery of two Q-36 radar systems to [[Ukraine]] in [[Lviv]] on 14 November 2015]]
[[File:US delivers two Q-36 counter battery radar systems to Ukraine.jpg|thumb|Delivery of two Q-36 radar systems to [[Lviv]], [[Ukraine]] on 14 November 2015]]
The AN/TPQ-36 is an [[passive electronically scanned array|electronically steered]] radar, meaning the [[Antenna (radio)|radar antenna]] does not actually move while in operation. The radar antenna may however be moved manually if required. The system may also be operated in a [[friendly fire]] mode to determine the accuracy of [[counter-battery fire|counterbattery]] return fire, or for conducting radar registration or mean point of impact calibrations for friendly artillery.
The AN/TPQ-36 is an [[passive electronically scanned array|electronically steered]] radar, meaning the [[Antenna (radio)|radar antenna]] does not actually move while in operation. The radar antenna may however be moved manually if required. The system may also be operated in a [[friendly fire]] mode to determine the accuracy of [[counter-battery fire|counterbattery]] return fire, or for conducting radar registration or mean point of impact calibrations for friendly artillery.


It can locate [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, [[artillery]], and [[rocket launcher]]s, simultaneously locate 10 weapons, locate targets on first round and perform high-burst, datum-plane, and impact registrations.
It can locate [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]]s, [[artillery]], and [[rocket launcher]]s, simultaneously locate 10 weapons, locate targets on first round and perform high-burst, datum-plane, and impact registrations. It can be used to adjust friendly fire, interfaces with tactical fire and predicts the impact of hostile projectiles.
It can be used to adjust friendly fire, interfaces with tactical fire and predicts the impact of hostile projectiles.


Its maximum range is {{convert|24|km|order=flip}} with an effective range of {{convert|18|km|order=flip}} for artillery and {{convert|24|km|order=flip}} for rockets. Its azimuth sector is 90°. It operates in the [[X-band]] at 32 frequencies. Peak transmitted power is 23 kW, min.
Its maximum range is 24&nbsp;km with
effective range of 18&nbsp;km for artillery and 24&nbsp;km for rockets.
Its azimuth sector is 90°.
It operates in the X-band at 32 frequencies.
Peak transmitted power is 23&nbsp;kW, min.


It features permanent storage for 99 targets, has a field exercise mode and uses a digital data interface.
It features permanent storage for 99 targets, has a field exercise mode and uses a digital data interface.
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==Manufacturers==
==Manufacturers==
Northrop Grumman manufactures the AN/TPQ-36(V)8 Firefinder radar.
Northrop Grumman manufactures the AN/TPQ-36(V)8 Firefinder radar.
Before acquisition by [[Raytheon]], the [[Hughes Aircraft]] Co. developed the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar at its Fullerton, California facility, and manufactured it at its Forest, Mississippi plant.
Before its acquisition by [[Raytheon]], the [[Hughes Aircraft]] Co. developed the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar at its facility at [[Fullerton, California]], and manufactured it at its plant in [[Forest, Mississippi]].


==Nomenclature==
==Nomenclature==
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== Users ==
== Users ==


* {{AUS}}: Used by [[Australian Defence Force]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=ACT 2609|first=Raytheon Australia 4 Brindabella Circuit Canberra Airport|title=Raytheon Australia contracted for Life of Type Extension for AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radars|url=http://raytheon.au.mediaroom.com/news-release-archive?item=32|access-date=2021-07-12|website=Raytheon Australia - News Release Archive|language=en}}</ref>
* {{AUS}}: Used by [[Australian Defence Force]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=ACT 2609|first=Raytheon Australia 4 Brindabella Circuit Canberra Airport|title=Raytheon Australia contracted for Life of Type Extension for AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radars|url=http://raytheon.au.mediaroom.com/news-release-archive?item=32|access-date=2021-07-12| language = en-AU | website=Raytheon Australia - News Release Archive}}</ref>
* {{CHI}}: Used by [[Chilean Army]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=ACT 2609|first=El AN/TPQ-36 es un sistema de radar móvil desarrollado por H.A.C, ( Hughes Aircraft Company), y fabricado por Northrop Grumman y Thales Raytheon Systems. El sistema es un "radar arma-localización", diseñado para detectar y realizar el seguimiento de artillería y cohetes entrantes para determinar el punto de origen para realizar así fuego de contra batería |url=https://www.facebook.com/FFAAmasGEOPOLITICA/posts/radares-antpq-36-del-ejercito-de-chileel-antpq-36-es-un-sistema-de-radar-m%C3%B3vil-d/1691406687742983/?locale=es_LA|access-date=2015-12-28| language = en-ES | website=El AN/TPQ-36 es un sistema de radar móvil desarrollado por H.A.C, ( Hughes Aircraft Company)}}</ref>
* {{POR}}: Used by [[Portuguese Army]] ([[5th Artillery Regiment (Portugal)|5th Artillery Regiment]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Raytheon / Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinding Radar|url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=158|access-date=2021-07-12|website=www.militaryfactory.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{NLD}}: Used by [[Royal Netherlands Army]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=Royal Netherlands Army orders Thales Multi Mission Radars |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/royal-netherlands-army-orders-thales-multi-mission-radars |access-date=2022-07-08 |website=Janes.com |language=en}}</ref>
* {{SRI}}: Used by [[Sri Lankan Army]].
* {{POR}}: Used by [[Portuguese Army]] ([[5th Artillery Regiment (Portugal)|5th Artillery Regiment]])<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Raytheon / Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinding Radar|url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.php?smallarms_id=158|access-date=2021-07-12|website=www.militaryfactory.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
* {{TUR}}: Used by [[Turkish Land Forces]].<ref name=":0" />
* {{ESP}}: Used by [[Spanish Army]]
* {{UKR}}: Two units delivered by [[US Army]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=US delivers two Q-36 Counter Battery Radar Systems to Ukraine|url=https://www.army.mil/article/158630/us_delivers_two_q_36_counter_battery_radar_systems_to_ukraine|access-date=2021-07-12|website=www.army.mil|language=en}}</ref>
* {{USA}}: Used by [[United States Army]], [[United States Marine Corps]].<ref name=":0" />
* {{SRI}}: Used by [[Sri Lankan Army]]
* {{TUR}}: Used by [[Turkish Land Forces]]<ref name=":0" />
* {{UKR}}:
** Two units delivered by [[United States Army|US Army]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web | author = US Embassy Press Office, Kyiv | date =2015-11-16 | title = US delivers two Q-36 Counter Battery Radar Systems to Ukraine | url = https://www.army.mil/article/158630/us_delivers_two_q_36_counter_battery_radar_systems_to_ukraine | access-date = 2022-03-26 | website = [[United States Army|US Army]] | language = en-US | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211124202956/https://www.army.mil/article/158630/us_delivers_two_q_36_counter_battery_radar_systems_to_ukraine | archive-date = 2021-11-24 | url-status = live | df = dmy-all}}</ref>
** Five units delivered by the [[Ministry of Defence (Netherlands)|Netherlands Ministry of Defence]] in March 2022, during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="Naqi_20220303">{{cite magazine | first1 = Naqi | last1 = Wasif | date = 2022-03-03 | title = Ukraine conflict: Netherlands to supply weapon locating radars to Ukraine | url = https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-netherlands-to-supply-weapon-locating-radars-to-ukraine | magazine = [[Jane's Defence Weekly]] | access-date = 2022-03-26 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220323201750/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/ukraine-conflict-netherlands-to-supply-weapon-locating-radars-to-ukraine | language = en-GB | archive-date = 2022-03-23 | url-status = live | issn = 0265-3818 | oclc = 613908494 | quote = The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to supply two Squire manportable 2D ground surveillance radars and five AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon locating radars to Ukraine. | df = dmy-all}}</ref>
**Ten units delivered by [[United States Army|US Army]] on April 13, 2022, three more deliveries on May 19,<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3037837/100-million-in-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/source/100-million-in-additional-security-assistance-for-ukraine/|title=$100 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine |website=www.defense.gov|date=2022-05-19}}</ref> during the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web|language=en|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tOuhNKsiy4|title=Pentagon holds briefing as Biden announces additional $800M in security assistance to Ukraine|website=CBS News|date=2022-04-13}}</ref>
* {{USA}}: Used by [[United States Army]], [[United States Marine Corps]]<ref name=":0" />


==See also==
==See also==
*[[AN/MPQ-64]]
*[[ARTHUR (military)]]
*[[ARTHUR (military)]]
*[[Red Color]]
*[[Red Color]]
*[[SLC-2 Radar]]
*[[Swathi Weapon Locating Radar]]
*[[Swathi Weapon Locating Radar]]
*[[List of radars]]
*[[List of military electronics of the United States]]


==References==
==References==
Line 67: Line 72:
{{Northrop Grumman|state=autocollapse}}{{Raytheon}}
{{Northrop Grumman|state=autocollapse}}{{Raytheon}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:AN TPQ-36 Firefinder radar}}
[[Category:Ground radars]]
[[Category:Ground radars]]
[[Category:Hughes Aircraft Company]]
[[Category:Hughes Aircraft Company]]
Line 74: Line 78:
[[Category:Radar equipment of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Radar equipment of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Raytheon Company products]]
[[Category:Raytheon Company products]]
[[Category:Weapon Locating Radar]]
[[Category:Weapon locating radar]]
[[Category:Military radars of the United States Marine Corps]]
[[Category:Military radars of the United States Marine Corps]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1980s]]
[[Category:Military electronics of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 20:35, 18 December 2024

AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar

Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon locating system is a mobile radar system developed in the mid-late 1970s by Hughes Aircraft Company and manufactured by Northrop Grumman and ThalesRaytheonSystems, achieving initial operational capability in May 1982. The system is a "weapon-locating radar", designed to detect and track incoming mortar, artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counter-battery fire. It is currently in service at battalion and higher levels in the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, Australian Army, Portuguese Army, Turkish Army, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[1]

The radar is typically trailer-mounted and towed by a Humvee.

Upgrades

[edit]

Firefinder (V)7 adds a Modular Azimuth Position System (MAPS). MAPS has a north seeking laser gyrocompass and a microprocessor controlled Honeywell H-726 inertial navigation system. Prior Firefinders used a survey team to find site latitude, longitude, and direction to North. With MAPS, reaction time was limited only by the time taken to set up the site, since system geo-position was pre-loaded before sortie deployment. Crew was reduced from 8 to 6.[2]

Firefinder (V)8 extends system performance, improves operator survivability and lowers life cycle cost. Greater processing power and the addition of a low noise amplifier to the radar antenna improves detection range (by up to 50%) and performance accuracy against certain threats.[citation needed]

Operations/maintainers/specifications

[edit]
Delivery of two Q-36 radar systems to Lviv, Ukraine on 14 November 2015

The AN/TPQ-36 is an electronically steered radar, meaning the radar antenna does not actually move while in operation. The radar antenna may however be moved manually if required. The system may also be operated in a friendly fire mode to determine the accuracy of counterbattery return fire, or for conducting radar registration or mean point of impact calibrations for friendly artillery.

It can locate mortars, artillery, and rocket launchers, simultaneously locate 10 weapons, locate targets on first round and perform high-burst, datum-plane, and impact registrations. It can be used to adjust friendly fire, interfaces with tactical fire and predicts the impact of hostile projectiles.

Its maximum range is 15 miles (24 km) with an effective range of 11 miles (18 km) for artillery and 15 miles (24 km) for rockets. Its azimuth sector is 90°. It operates in the X-band at 32 frequencies. Peak transmitted power is 23 kW, min.

It features permanent storage for 99 targets, has a field exercise mode and uses a digital data interface.

Manufacturers

[edit]

Northrop Grumman manufactures the AN/TPQ-36(V)8 Firefinder radar. Before its acquisition by Raytheon, the Hughes Aircraft Co. developed the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar at its facility at Fullerton, California, and manufactured it at its plant in Forest, Mississippi.

Nomenclature

[edit]

Per the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the nomenclature AN/TPQ-36 is thus derived:

  • "AN/" indicating Army/Navy(Marines)--a system nomenclature derived from the JETDS.
  • "T" for 'transportable', indicating it is carried by a vehicle but is not an integral part of said vehicle (compare with 'V' for vehicle-mounted).
  • "P" indicating a position finder (radar).
  • "Q" for a special-purpose(multipurpose) radar, in this case counterbattery.
  • "36" is the 36'th version of this family, of TPQ radars.

Users

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Ukraine Monitors Cease-Fire Violations With U.S.-Supplied Radars". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Reuters, VOA. 27 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 December 2017.
  2. ^ U. S. Army Depot Command, Sacramento Army Depot (8 January 1991). "FIREFINDER AN/TPQ-36 (V) 7 BLOCK IIB". Preliminary Design Review: SYSTEM INTEGRATION.
  3. ^ ACT 2609, Raytheon Australia 4 Brindabella Circuit Canberra Airport. "Raytheon Australia contracted for Life of Type Extension for AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radars". Raytheon Australia - News Release Archive. Retrieved 2021-07-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ ACT 2609, El AN/TPQ-36 es un sistema de radar móvil desarrollado por H.A.C, ( Hughes Aircraft Company), y fabricado por Northrop Grumman y Thales Raytheon Systems. El sistema es un "radar arma-localización", diseñado para detectar y realizar el seguimiento de artillería y cohetes entrantes para determinar el punto de origen para realizar así fuego de contra batería. El AN/TPQ-36 es un sistema de radar móvil desarrollado por H.A.C, ( Hughes Aircraft Company) https://www.facebook.com/FFAAmasGEOPOLITICA/posts/radares-antpq-36-del-ejercito-de-chileel-antpq-36-es-un-sistema-de-radar-m%C3%B3vil-d/1691406687742983/?locale=es_LA. Retrieved 2015-12-28. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ "Royal Netherlands Army orders Thales Multi Mission Radars". Janes.com. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
  6. ^ a b c "Raytheon / Hughes AN/TPQ-36 Firefinding Radar". www.militaryfactory.com. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  7. ^ US Embassy Press Office, Kyiv (16 November 2015). "US delivers two Q-36 Counter Battery Radar Systems to Ukraine". US Army. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  8. ^ Wasif, Naqi (3 March 2022). "Ukraine conflict: Netherlands to supply weapon locating radars to Ukraine". Jane's Defence Weekly. ISSN 0265-3818. OCLC 613908494. Archived from the original on 23 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022. The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) is to supply two Squire manportable 2D ground surveillance radars and five AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder weapon locating radars to Ukraine.
  9. ^ "$100 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine". www.defense.gov. 2022-05-19.
  10. ^ "Pentagon holds briefing as Biden announces additional $800M in security assistance to Ukraine". CBS News. 2022-04-13.
[edit]