US Army Adding EQ-36 Radars, ASAP
Aug 16, 2011 05:20 EDT
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$91.5M for Lockheed Martin MS2 under existing contract; FRP RFP due Sept. 14. (Aug 15/11)
Firefinder radars track the path of incoming shells, rockets, mortars, etc., and calculate the point they were fired from. They currently come in 2 versions. The TPQ-36 radar is specifically designed to counter medium range enemy weapon systems out to a range of 24 kilometers, while the TPQ-37 can locate longer-range systems, and even surface launched missiles, out to 50 kilometers. Michael Yon, embedded with 1-24 (“Deuce Four”) in Mosul, offered a first hand description of counter-battery radars’ effect on enemy tactics in 2005.
Better radar technologies offer a number of potential advantages for this role, including wider fields of view, less maintenance required, and fewer false positives. In September 2006, Lockheed Martin announced a $120 million contract win to provide the U.S. Army with 5 Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 radars, otherwise known as the EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar, to be delivered within 36 months. Despite the close official name and designation, this is a wholly new radar system, from a different company. Orders are beginning to accumulate, and deployments have begun…
The EQ-36
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An EQ-36 system is actually made up of 2 vehicles. One FMTV truck is the Mission Essential Group, containing the radar antenna and the power generator. The second FMTV truck carries the Sustainment Group, with a climate controlled operations controlled shelter and backup power generator. The operations center allows the radar to link back to Army command systems like AFATDS and FAADC2. The EQ-36 is also IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) compatible in countering rocket, artillery, and mortar attacks.
Adapting to mission requirements as needed, soldiers can operate the EQ-36 remotely using a pair of ruggedized Linux laptop computers, or from the fully equipped climate-controlled shelter. Automation and built-in test sensors means that only 4 soldiers can operate an EQ-36 system, with an emplacement time of 5 minutes and a displacement time of 2 minutes. This compares to 3 HMMWVs and 6 people for the previous TPQ-36v8 system; or 2 FMTV trucks, 2 HMMWVs, and 13 people for the TPQ-37v8.
The EQ-36 includes a number of improvements, including 360 degree coverage capability instead of the TPQ-36’s current 90 degrees, and dramatic reductions in false alarm rates. A successful program would replace many of the TPQ-36 radars currently in service.
EQ-36: Program and Industrial Team
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The initial contract for 5 radars was issued in January 2007. In spring 2007, the prototype completed successful counterfire target acquisition testing in both 90- and 360-degree modes at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, AZ. In summer 2007, the system completed successful air surveillance testing at White Sands Missile Range in White Sands, NM. A prototype was unveiled in October 2007, and the 1st system was delivered to the Army in summer 2009.
An April 2010 option raises the EQ-36’s order total to 35 fielded radars, but the total could climb far higher. Over the longer term, the potential exists for $1.6+ billion in orders, covering more than 180 radars.
Industrial team members for the EQ-36 program include Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors (MS2)...
- Lockheed Martin MS2 in Syracuse, NY (Program lead, antenna array, digital module assemblies);
- Lockheed Martin MS2 in Moorestown, NJ, facility (transmit/receive modules);
- Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support, in Orlando, FL (EQ-36 training system and curriculum);
- Burtek, Inc. in Chesterfield, MI (operations shelter and stationary platform);
- Syracuse Research Corp. in Syracuse, NY (digital signal processor);
- Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, PA (maintenance support).
Contracts and Key Events
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Aug 15/11: Army Contracting Command (ACC) APG-C4ISR, in Aberdeen, MD intends to procure EQ-36 radar systems to replace AN/TPQ-36 and 37 radars. The W15P7T-11-R-T201 solicitation for Full Rate Production (FRP) was first posted on Feb. 16, 2011 for an estimate value of $940M. The response date has been postponed by 30 days to Sept. 14, under “Best Value” consideration and Firm Fixed Price (FFP) pricing.
A June 30 revision addressed inconsistencies on desired quantities that had built up since the presolicitation. The planned production schedule for this 5-year contract is currently set to 12 LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) units in FY13, 23 LRIP units in FY15, and 32 FRP units in FY16, for a total of 67 systems. FBO.gov, ASFI.
Aug 15/11: Lockheed Martin MS2 received a $91.5M firm-fixed-price cost-plus-fixed-fee award under W15P7T-06-C-T004 to modify an existing contract to procure four enhanced EQ-36 radar systems with armored Sustained Operation Group (SOG) and Mission Essential Group (MEG) equipped and 16 radar systems with SOG and MEGs. Work will be performed in Liverpool, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2012.
Oct 26/10: Lockheed Martin announces that the U.S. Army has deployed the first AN/TPQ-36 (EQ-36) radars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
June 21/10: Donaldson Company announces that the EQ- 36 will use its patented StrataTube filtration technology to air-cool its electronics, without introducing dust and other contaminants. Current schedules have the final units for that initial 17-system June 2007 contract delivered by fall 2010.
Donaldson StrataTubes use inertial force to spin dust and other contaminants out of the air stream, but have no moving parts to wear out or break, and are maintenance-free. Custom designed EQ-36 Strata panels are included in the radar’s antenna and pedestal systems, and it joins other StrataTube using military devices like the M1 Abrams tank and H-60 family of helicopters.
April 14/10: Lockheed Martin Corp. in Syracuse, NY receives a sole-source $108.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for 17 enhanced AN/TPQ-36 (EQ-36) radar systems, plus associated sustained operational group and mission essential group (MEG) non-recurring engineering and MEG installation. Work is to be performed in Syracuse, NY, with an estimated completion date of Oct 8/10. The US CECOM Acquisition Center in Fort Monmouth, NJ manages the contract (W15P7T-06-C-T004).
This award is made under an unfinalized contract, and commits 49% of the estimated final value. Lockheed Martin has confirmed to DID that this is a new radar order, bringing the field order total to 35:
“We understand the Army’s urgent need… [for] enhanced protection from rockets, mortars and artillery. Lockheed Martin is already under contract for 16 EQ-36 systems and we are delivering them to the Army on schedule.”
July 2/09: Lockheed Martin delivers the first EQ-36 Radar System to the U.S. Army on time, following successful live-fire performance testing against indirect fire from mortars, artillery and rockets this spring at the Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The effort also included engineering, contractor and government acceptance testing.
To accelerate the fielding of the EQ-36 radar, the U.S. Army in June 2008 exercised contract options with Lockheed Martin for 12 additional systems, which will include enhanced performance capabilities. With production for both orders now running in parallel, and the 12-radar order accelerated, all 17 of the EQ-36 systems are expected to be delivered by fall 2010. Lockheed Martin.
April 29/09: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems & Sensors in Liverpool, NY receives a $20.7 million firm-fixed-price contract that buys spares for the 12 initial production Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Radar Systems.
Work is to be performed in Liverpool, NY, with an estimated completion date of Aug 31/10. One sole source was bid solicited from the radar’s manufacturer and one bid was received by the CECOM Acquisition Center in Fort Monmouth, NJ (W15P7T-06-C-T004).
July 29/08: Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Support in Syracuse, NY received an $84.3 million firm-fixed-price contract to accelerate the production and delivery of the 12 Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Initial Production Radar Systems (EQ-36) currently listed as options within contract W15P7T-06-C-T004. Work will be performed in Syracuse, NY, and is expected to be complete by Oct 25/10. There was one bid solicited on March 23/08, and 1 bid was received by the CECOM Acquisition Center in Fort Monmouth, NJ activity (W15-P7T-06-C-T004)
March 2008: EQ-36 program successfully completed its Critical Design Review. Source.
Nov/ Dec 2007: A prototype EQ-36 radar built by industry partner SRC is tested against mortars and rockets at Yuma Proving Ground, AZ. During the tests, the EQ-36 prototype successfully located the firing positions of both rocket and mortar launchers. Lockheed Martin says that live fire testing was conducted over a 7 day period without a single false alarm.
October 2007: EQ-36 program completes a successful Preliminary Design Review. Source.
Oct 9/07: Lockheed Martin unveils an EQ-36 prototype.
September 27/06: Lockheed Martin’s contract win of up to $120 million (W15P7T-06-C-T004), issued by the Army’s Program Executive Officer-Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO-IEW and S). The company is directed to provide the Army with 5 Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 radars, within 36 months. Lockheed Martin release.
Additional Readings
- Lockheed Martin – Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar (EQ-36)
- Raytheon – AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Weapon Locating System. See also ThalesRaytheon page.
- Global Security – AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder Radar
- Raytheon – AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Weapon Locating System. See also ThalesRaytheon pages for the TPQ-37 and its accompanying command shelter.
- Global Security – AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder Artillery Locating Radar
