Firefinder Radar supporting US troops in theater
ThalesRaytheonSystems today announced that advanced Firefinder radars have been fielded in theater supporting and protecting US troops and allies. Reliability and maintainability improvements have been added to the AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Weapon Locating Radar system that support an extended service life with reduced life-cycle costs. Currently fielded in Iraq, upgraded Firefinders are scheduled to be deployed into Afghanistan in the coming months.
ThalesRaytheonSystems, in conjunction with Tobyhanna Army Depot, is delivering modernized radars that include a new modular, air-cooled transmitter; a new Operations Control shelter; and a new, common radar processor applied across the US Army's entire fleet of AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder systems. It is known as the Reliability Maintainability Improvement (RMI) programme. Forty percent of deliveries are complete with final delivery scheduled in early 2013.
"These RMI systems can be deployed with confidence for effective operations in challenging environmental conditions," said Kim Kerry, chief executive officer, ThalesRaytheonSystems, US Operations. "The Firefinder modernization provides the US Army and allies around the world with the capabilities needed for detection and troop protection."
Firefinders are precise detection and location systems designed to find enemy artillery, mortar and rocket firing positions. The radar also predicts impact zones and transmits data to friendly forces, allowing time for effective counter-fire tactics. Nearly 400 Firefinders are deployed by 18 nations worldwide. Sized for easy transport, they are prized for their accuracy, mobility, reliability and low life-cycle costs.
Along with its Improved Sentinel Battlefield Air Defense Radar (AN/MPQ-64F1) and the AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Weapon Locating Radar, ThalesRaytheonSystems' radar capabilities are currently unmatched by prototypes and other unproven technologies too costly and cumbersome to meet 21st century battlefield requirements.
Source: ThalesRaytheonSystems
More from Digital Battlespace
-
Clavister contracted to supply cyber protection for CV90s
Clavister CyberArmour, an integrated defence cybersecurity system, will be used on BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 platform in deployments with a Scandinavian country, as well as in an eastern European nation.
-
Lockheed Martin completes tactical satellite demonstration and prepares for launch
The tactical satellite (TacSat) is an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system and will participate in exercises in 2025.
-
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.