News Review: IOC for upgraded TPQ-36 | ADM Aug 2009

1 August 2009

The Army's upgraded TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radars have achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the delivery of the first four of seven radars.

Prime contractor for the upgrade is Raytheon Australia which was awarded the contract in 2007 to extend the radars' life of type to 2015 under Project land 58 Ph.3.

"The Australian AN/TPQ-36 Weapon Locating Radar capability provides the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the ability to locate enemy mortars, guns and rockets, enabling early warning for ground forces," said Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science.

The radar enemy shells, mortar bombs and rockets and calculates from their trajectory the enemy firing points, with up to ten separate locations able to be determined simultaneously.

The TPQ-36 has previously been operationally deployed by the ADF in Iraq.

Key modifications to the TPQ-36 include the replacement of existing map drums with new computer-based human / machine interface systems, replacement of obsolete components, as well as upgrades to improve performance and reliability.

Under the contract, Raytheon also enhanced training effectiveness through a new simulator at the School of Artillery in Puckapunyal, Vic.

The new simulator will allow students to train on a human-machine interface system identical to that of the actual TPQ-36.