Quick Facts
| Role and Mobility | Long-Range Air Surveillance, Low-Level Flight Surveillance, UAV Detection, Ballistic Missile Warning; Road-mobile |
| Frequency | L-Band |
| Range | 463 km |
| Air Defense Interceptor Systems | N/A |
| Targets | Tactical Ballistic Missiles and UAVs |
| Status/Exports | Operational; Latvia |
| Producer | Lockheed Martin |
Overview
The Multi-Role Radar (TPS-77 MRR) is designed for ultra-low power consumption and is the most transportable version of Lockheed Martin’s TPS-77 product line.[i] It has a long-range surveillance mission range of 463 km and a low-level flight surveillance mission range of 150 km. It gets its name from the fact that it is configurable for both long and medium range detection.[ii] As a highly mobile radar it can be transported using the C-130 cargo plane, helicopters, trucks, and trains. The TPS-77 MRR is the most transportable variant of the TPS-77 radar family, which also includes Lockheed Martin’s AN/TPS-77 and AN/TPS-117 radars.[iii]
Strategic Implications
The radar’s multi-role single scan technology allows operators to select specific roles for the radar such as long-range or medium-range low-level flight surveillance in specific sectors, making it a versatile radar for all situations.[iv] Specifically, the acquisition of the TPS-77 MRR is enabling the Latvian army to address its current security challenges by providing them low-level flight surveillance and identification capabilities to defend against Russia. Its mobility also provides strategic value because it can be truck mounted for deployment at unprepared sites or dismounted for use at fixed sites.[v]
Timeline
March 2018: Latvia will finalize the delivery of the first Multi-Role radar, TPS-77 MRR by testing its air surveillance capabilities.[vi]
October 2017: Lockheed Martin completed factory acceptance testing of the TPS-77 MRR.[vii]
June 2017: Lockheed Martin Completes Production of the TPS-77 MRR.[viii]
October 2015: Latvia buys three TPS-77 Multi-Role Radars from Lockheed Martin.[ix]
Recent News
References
[i] https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/ground-based-air-surveillance/TPS-77_MRR_SPEC_sheet.pdf
[ii] https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/ground-based-air-surveillance.html
[iii] Ibid.
[iv] http://www.dmitryshulgin.com/tag/tps-77-multi-role-radar-tps-77-mrr/
[v] Ibid.
[vi] Ibid.
[vii] http://aviationweek.com/awindefense/lockheed-nears-delivery-latvia-s-tps-77-mrr-radar
[viii] https://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/features/2017/170609-rms-completes-production-of-tps-77-mrr-its-first-multi-role-surveillance-radar.html
[ix] https://lockheed.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/october/151005-mst-latvia-buys-3-tps-77-multi-role-radars-from-lockheed-martin.html
