AN/TPQ-53 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System

The AN/TPQ-53 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System program is a central component of the Army's Long Range Precision Fires (LRPF) Modernization Priority, funded under Program Element PE 0607148A. The primary goal of this program is to develop, integrate, and field advanced radar systems capable of automatically detecting, classifying, tracking, and locating the point of origin of indirect fire threats such as mortars, artillery, and rockets. The system is designed to address close combat radar coverage gaps and provides both a 90-degree search sector (stare mode) and 360-degree coverage (rotating mode). This enhances force protection and situational awareness for Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), Field Artillery Brigades (FABs), and Division Artilleries (DIVARTYs).

A key objective in recent fiscal years is the integration of Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) software into the AN/TPQ-53 baseline. This enables the system to conduct air surveillance and provides commanders with improved situational awareness of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The radar system interoperates with mission command systems, notably providing data to the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) node, which supports sense and warn force protection capabilities. These enhancements are driven by the need to increase radar flexibility and support systems requiring target in-flight updates, especially in contested environments.

The Distributed Digital Receiver Exciter (DDREX) Capability Sets #1 and #2 represent a significant modernization effort within the program. These sets focus on increasing survivability, electronic protection (EP), and bandwidth agility to improve performance against peer and near-peer threats. Funding supports continued software integration and testing of DDREX Engineering Development Models (EDMs), with the goal of advancing counterfire target acquisition (CTA) performance and radar survivability. The transition from development to integration and the resolution of software issues for these capability sets are key milestones, with the majority of developmental testing scheduled for completion in the near term.

The development of DDREX Capability Sets #3 and #4 is another major objective, aimed at merging survivability improvements and additional electronic protection features. These capability sets integrate advanced electronic protection software techniques, radar-to-radar communications, and sensor fusion for enhanced survivability in complex Cyber Electromagnetic Activity (CEMA) environments. Capability Set #4 further incorporates counter electronic warfare, radar-aided navigation, and improved extended range capability to support LRPF. Funding is allocated to continue design, development, and integration efforts, including the addition of high-performance data processing hardware.

The Modernization Development Efforts and Emerging Threats line item supports ongoing software-based activities to counter evolving battlefield threats, particularly those identified in the Counterfire Radar Systems (CFRS) Validated Online Lifecycle Threat (VOLT) report. Funds are used for engineering and development, software updates, modeling and simulation, cyber and information assurance patches, and post-test data analysis. Integration of MMR software into the DDREX baseline is a priority, enabling early detection and classification of airborne threats and ensuring continued improvements in survivability against advanced electronic warfare threats.

The Test & Evaluation Support component provides resources for planning, executing, and reporting on a series of developmental and operational tests for DDREX capability sets. Funding supports live fire testing, cybersecurity assessments, software regression tests, environmental qualification, transportability, interoperability, and follow-on operational test and evaluation (FOT&E). The reduction in funding from one fiscal year to the next reflects the completion of most developmental testing activities. These tests are critical to validating radar performance, reliability, and survivability prior to fielding.

Program Management Support ensures effective oversight and integration of all development and modernization activities. This includes contractor and government support for engineering, integration, and testing, with funding supporting a reduced but ongoing level of program management. The acquisition strategy leverages Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts for engineering development, prototyping, subsystem integration, and survivability software, with a planned transition to procurement and fielding of DDREX kits beginning in the near term and continuing through several fiscal years. The program is structured to deliver a robust, digitally modernized radar system capable of meeting current and emerging threats in complex operational environments.