AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar

The AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder is a light weight, weapon locating, I-band radar developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Army. The radar was designed to detect and track artillery projectiles to find out the exact point from which they have been fired. With a coverage of 360º, the AN/TPQ-36 is capable of simultaneously locating up to 10 different firing plataforms or weapons situated in different positions. It has a maximum range of 18 miles (25km) and can locate mortars, artillery, and rocket launchers. The AN/TPQ-36 is an electronically-steered radar, which means that the radar antenna does not actually move while in operation; nevertheless it can be moved manually if required. This radar system is made up of an operational control group and an antenna transceiver group. The AN/TPQ-36 is currently manufactured by Hughes and is in service at brigade and higher levels in the US Army, US Marine Corps, Spanish Army, and Australian Army. The radar is mounted on trailer and towed by a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. The AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder (V)8 version can extend 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.

Specifications for the AN/TPQ-36

Maximum range: 25 km
Effective range: artillery, 12 miles (18km); rockets, 18 miles (25km)
Azimuth sector: 90°
Frequency: I-band, 32 frequencies
Prime power: 115/200 VAC, 400 Hz, 3-phase, 8 kW
Peak transmitted power: 23 kW, min.