U.S. Army Tests Lockheed Q-53 Anti-Drone Radar with Service’s C2 System

The U.S. Army tested AN/TPQ-53 (Q-53) Multi-Mission Radar (MMR) integrated with the service’s command and control system in Yuma, Arizona.

The rapidly deployable Q-53 radar, which is ideal for the C-UAS mission, is developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin in Syracuse, New York.

During the exercise, the Q-53 integrated with the Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system to serve as the primary fire control source for the Coyote Block 2 C-UAS defeat system during testing in Yuma.

Lockheed Martin has delivered 195 Q-53 radars to the Army and international partners. The Q-53 detects, classifies, tracks and determines the location of enemy indirect fire such as mortars, rockets and artillery, and its mission continues to expand to other emerging threats.

In July 2021, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to improve the Q-53. These enhancements enable increased radar performance in challenging operating environments. Upgrades include support for Long Range Precision Fires and Air and Missile Defense missions.