The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is a three-dimensional radar

Radar

Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...

 used to alert and queue Short Range Air Defense

Short Range Air Defense

Short Range Air Defense is a term used to describe a group of anti-aircraft weapons and tactics that have to do with defense against low-altitude air threats, primarily helicopters and low-flying close air support aircraft such as the A-10 or MiG-27...

 (SHORAD) weapons to the locations of hostile targets approaching their front line forces. The Sentinel radar

Radar

Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...

 is deployed with forward area air defense units of the U.S. Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 and USMC

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

. The radar uses an X-band range-gated, pulse-doppler system. The antenna

Antenna (radio)

An antenna is an electrical device which converts electric currents into radio waves, and vice versa. It is usually used with a radio transmitter or radio receiver...

 uses phase-frequency electronic scanning technology, forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. The radar automatically acquires, tracks, classifies, identifies and reports targets, including cruise missile

Cruise missile

A cruise missile is a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and is propelled, usually by a jet engine, towards a land-based or sea-based target. Cruise missiles are designed to deliver a large warhead over long distances with high accuracy...

s, unmanned aerial vehicle

Unmanned aerial vehicle

An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...

s, rotary and fixed-wing aircraft

Aircraft

An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...

. It uses a high scan rate (30 RPM) and operates at a range of 40 km. The radar

Radar

Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...

 is designed with high resistance to electronic countermeasures

Electronic countermeasures

An electronic countermeasure is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy...

 (ECM). Mounted on a towed platform, it can be positioned remotely from the rest of the unit, operated autonomously and communicate with the Fire Distribution Center (FDC) via wideband

Wideband

In communications, wideband is a relative term used to describe a wide range of frequencies in a spectrum. A system is typically described as wideband if the message bandwidth significantly exceeds the channel's coherence bandwidth....

 fiber-optic link. It can also distribute its data over a SINCGARS

SINCGARS

SINCGARS is a Combat Net Radio currently used by U.S. and allied military forces. The radios, which handle voice and data communications, are designed to be reliable, secure and easily maintained...

 radio network.

Main characteristics

• Acquisition and Tracking Surveillance Radar
• Proven X-band, 3D Radar
• 30 RPM Rotation Rate
• Low-altitude, medium-range air defense sensor
• Detects fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs at reduced ranges
• Azimuth: 360 deg; altitude: 20 km; range: 40 km effective
• Acquisition Range up to 75 km
• Large Surveillance and Track Volume
• Automatic Programmable Digital Output
• COTS Signal and Data Processor
• Low Side Lobes and Narrow Pencil Beam
• Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) and Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) resistant
• High mobility, transportability, and reliability
• Deployed using modified HMMWV fitted with a 400 Hz on-board generator
• Provides identification of friendly aircraft through IFF

Upgrades

1. Under an ongoing product modernization program, Sentinel is equipped with new, modern COTS based electronics which ensures greater performance while implementing a low risk technology insertion. This Improved Sentinel Radar provides a significant range extension improvement.

• Improved target detection at extended ranges - especially cruise missiles and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• Improved target detection for Rotary Wing and Fixed Wing aircraft
• Improved capability to cue targets beyond visual range

2. The Army has designated the Sentinel radar as an objective force system (to remain in the field until 2030) and has developed a modernization plan to meet those requirements.

3. Multi Mode Sentinel: New operational mode developed for acquisition and tracking of Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (RAM) Fire.

• Software modification provides for quick updates of fielded systems worldwide.
• This new counter mortar mode brings the essential capabilities for 360 degree azimuth detection for RAM fire.
• This new counter mortar mode provides rapid information on the origin of the hostile fire as well as an estimate of the impact point of the fire which is useful to warn personnel of imminent danger.

Manufacturer

Raytheon

Raytheon

Raytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...

 developed the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar at its Fullerton, California

Fullerton, California

Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...

 facility, and manufactures it at its Forest, Mississippi

Forest, Mississippi

Forest is a city in Scott County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 5,987 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Scott County.-Geography:Forest is located at ....

plant.