AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel

Quick Facts

Role and Mobility	Early Warning Radar; Road-mobile
Frequency	X-Band
Range	40 km (upgraded: 75 km)
Air Defense Interceptor Systems	Hawk and Stinger Weapon Systems
Targets	Cruise Missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Rotary- and Fixed-Wing Aircraft
Status and Exports	Operational; Exported to Turkey, Egypt, Mexico, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Finland, and Chile
Producer	Thales Raytheon Systems

Overview

The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is a three-dimensional, phased-array radar system deployed all over the world. It operates in the X-Band frequency to automatically detect, track, identify, classify, and report airborne threats, including helicopters, high-speed attack aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs.[i] Sentinel has a range of 40 km (25 miles), and the upgraded version, first deployed in 2006, has a range of 75 km (47 miles). Given its range, which is several times that of short-range weapons, it works to provide early warning to ground crews and supporting maximum-range engagement of threats.[ii] The system can be integrated with a multitude of weapons systems, including Hawk, Surface Launched Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), Stinger, antiaircraft guns, and other Short- and Very Short-Range Air Defense (SHORAD/VSHORAD) class weapons. The Sentinel command post can activate weapon control and pair incoming targets with the appropriate defensive weapon.[iii]

Strategic Implications

The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is a strategically valuable radar that offers the deploying country a distinct battlefield advantage. Just one Sentinel radar can track more than 50 targets simultaneously and can prioritize those targets.[iv] It also acquires targets far enough away to allow military forces enough time for their air defense weapons to engage the targets at optimal range and is almost impervious to electronic countermeasures. Lastly, the system includes an integrated identification friend or foe capability that helps prevent fratricide.[v]

Timeline

August 2016: Latvia received two military AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radars as a part of the United States’ European Reassurance Initiative.

September 2011: Thales Raytheon Systems received a contract for 56 AN/MPQ 64 Sentinel radars. Work was to be completed by 2014.

June 2010: Thales Raytheon Systems received a contract to upgrade multiple AN/MPQ-64 radars. The deal covered all modernization efforts for the system.

November 2009: The Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced a sale of 6 Sentinel radars to Chile.

October 2009: Thales Raytheon Systems announced that the Improved Sentinel had performed successfully in recent tests.

May 2009: It was announced that Finland had selected Thales Raytheon Systems to provide 12 sentinel radars for its future medium-range air defense missile system (MRADMS).

June 2008: Thales Raytheon Systems received a contract to upgrade the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar. The upgrade substantially improved performance and reliability.

April 2006: The Army fielded the first AN/MPQ-64 Improved Sentinel radar to the Air Defense Artillery School in Fort Bliss, Texas.

June 1997: The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel was fielded.

January 1995: Thales Raytheon Systems received a low-rate initial production contract for AN/MPQ-64 systems.[vi]