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.
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.
Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com