SALINA — The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $881 million for production of new radar systems.
The AN/TPQ-53 Firefinder Radar systems, formerly known as the EQ-36, will be manufactured at Lockheed’s Salina plant. The contract includes a base year worth $166 million that calls for production of 12 systems.
Two option years could bring the total delivery to 51 systems, according to the Army.
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The radar provides improved protection for soldiers from rocket, mortar, and artillery attacks according to Lockheed.
“The AN/TPQ-53 will bolster the level of protection for soldiers in the field by expanding basic counterfire radar capabilities in both 90- and 360-degree modes,” Lt. Col. Robert Thomas, Army product manager for radars, said in a news release. “This is a great example of the Army and industry coming together to ultimately deliver a system that will greatly enhance situational awareness by providing the precise location of hostile indirect fire weapons.”
The systems are truck-mounted, which offers greater mobility, automated leveling, and remote operating capabilities.
Lockheed employs about 2,300 people in Salina and another 2,900 at a plant in Owego. The defense contractor has 126,000 employees worldwide.
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