AN/MPQ-53/65 Radar

Quick Facts

Mobility	Road-mobile
Role	Patriot fire control radar
Deployment	Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania (Est. 2019 Delivery), Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, UAE, and the U.S.
Frequency	C-band & G/H-Band
Range	100km
Producer	Lockheed Martin, Raytheon

Overview

AN/MPQ-53 (PAC-2) The AN/MPQ-53 is the radar program and missile commander for the Patriot MIM-104 defense systems. Specializing in medium/high altitude anti-ballistic missile defense, the system is a collaboration between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon that consists of a C-band frequency.[i] It is a passive electronically scanned array radar system which is remotely operated by 3-4 people using the MSQ-104 Engagement Control Station (ECS) via a cable link.[ii] The MPQ-53 is unique in the sense that it is a “detection-to-kill” system, meaning that a single unit performs all its functions in comparison to other Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (SAM) which require several radars to function efficiently.[iii] The radar can detect and track more than 100 potential targets and has a range of over 100 km.[iv] Being that the MPQ-53 has no moving parts, it makes it difficult to jam and increases its overall success.

AN/MPQ-65 (PAC-3) Under the PAC-3 program the MPQ-53 radar set has been replaced with the MPQ-65. The upgraded AN/MPQ-65 radar set provides significant improvements in expanded search, threat detection, and identification and engagement capability. The radar search sector volume has been expanded while the radar uses a second travelling wave tube.[v] The upgraded MPQ-65 radar can track up to 100 targets at once. The baseline features are enhanced to better counter developing threats like maneuverable ballistic missiles, stealth cruise missile, and aircraft.[vi] Using a C-band frequency, the radar carries a range of over 100km and is also operated by using the MSP-104 ESC.[vii] The AN/MPQ-65 radar uses a second traveling wave tube (TWT) which allocates more search, detection, and tracking, capabilities than the MPQ-53.[viii]