AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radar
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AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder is a mobile radar system manufactured by Hughes Aircraft (later acquired by Raytheon). The system is a long-range version of “weapon-locating radar,” designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire to determine the point of origin for counterbattery fire. It is currently in service at brigade and higher levels in the United States Army and by other countries. The radar is trailer-mounted and towed by a 2⅓-ton truck. A typical AN/TPQ-37 system consists of the Antenna-Transceiver Group, Command Shelter and 60 kW Generator.
[edit] Operation
The AN/TPQ-37 is an electronically-steered radar, meaning the radar does not actually move while in operation. The radar scans a 90-degree sector for incoming rocket, artillery and mortar fire. Upon detecting a possible incoming round, the system verifies the contact before initiating a track sequence, continuing to search for new targets. The incoming round/rocket is tracked during its initial upward/launch trajectory (i.e., the linear portion of its flight path) prior to reaching apogee. A computer program analyzes the track data and then extrapolates the round’s point of origin. This calculated point of origin is then reported to the operator with map coordinates, thus allowing friendly artillery to direct counterbattery fire towards the enemy artillery. The system has a reported range of up to 50 kilometers. The system may also be operated in a friendly fire mode to determine the accuracy of counterbattery return fire.
[edit] Nomenclature
Per the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the nomenclature AN/TPQ-37 is derived thusly:
- “AN/” indicating 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 RADAR
- “Q” for a special-purpose radar, in this case counterbattery
- “37” is an arbitrary numerical designator
