AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder is a mobile radar system manufactured by Northrop Grumman and ThalesRaytheonSystems (formerly Hughes Aircraft, which was acquired by Raytheon). The system is a "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, United States Marine Corps and Australian Army. The radar is typically trailer mounted and towed by a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) ("HUMVEE").
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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.
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. Capabilities
Specifications
Artillery: 18 km
Rockets: 24 km
Features
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 manufactures it at its Forest, Mississippi plant.
Per the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the nomenclature AN/TPQ-36 is thus derived: