ATP-3-09-12 Field Artillery Counterfire and Weapons Locating Radar Operations Download
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26 October 2021 ATP 3-09.12 H-1 Appendix H AN/TPQ-53 Weapons Locating Radar System Characteristics and Employment This chapter discusses characteristics and employment techniques for the AN/TPQ-53 WLRs. The AN/TPQ-53 is a highly mobile WLR system. The AN/TPQ-53 is capable of locating hostile mortar, artillery, and rocket fire in a cluttered environment, and provides friendly artillery registration and adjustment. The system was designed to provide 90 degree coverage against all indirect fire threats, and 360 degree azimuth at degraded ranges. The principal functions of the system are to detect, track, classify, and accurately determine the POO and POI of enemy indirect fires. The AN/TPQ-53 provides continuous and responsive counter-battery TA for any military operation. The AN/TPQ-53 is designed to meet ongoing mission requirements and provide a solution that can meet full operational capability in a single C-17 aircraft. SECTION I - CHARACTERISTICS AND EMPLOYMENT H-1. The AN/TPQ-53 can be operated in either mission essential group (MEG) configuration or sustained operations group (SOG) configuration. Figure H-1 on page H-2 depicts the AN/TPQ-53 in its MEG; consisting of the AN/TPY-3 TA subsystem, which contains the following sub-systems: Prime mover. ATG. Prime power group. Communications group (digital and voice). Remote control and display unit. H-2. The SOG of the AN/TPQ-53 consists of the prime mover and the operations control shelter (OCS) to conduct operations. The OCS may be powered from an external source or from an on-board 10kW generator, which eliminates external power connections. Using the onboard generator frees the crew from heavy power cable deployment and allows separation from the ATG at distances up to 1km, enhancing Soldier survivability. The AN/TPQ-53 can also use commercial power and can automatically or manually switch between tactical and commercial power or between primary and backup tactical power without system interruption.