US Air Force to Receive Lockheed’s TPY-4 Radar for Evaluation

Lockheed Martin is preparing to deliver its TPY-4 software-defined radar to the U.S. Air Force for evaluation.

The development follows months of internal testing and modifications at Lockheed’s New York facilities. Steve Allen, program director for ground-based air surveillance at Lockheed, said the Air Force would push TPY-4 to the limit so officials would know what it is capable of.

The evaluation will be performed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is slated for the summer, C4ISRNET reported Friday.

The TPY-4 radar can detect and track air-based threats – from small drones to ballistic missiles. Its features include long-range tactical ballistic missile early warning and rapid mission adaptability. It is available as a fixed unit or as a mobile variant.

In recent months, Lockheed has demonstrated various electronic warfare and situational awareness solutions for the U.S. military.

In October, the company conducted a test flight for its Multi-Function Electronic Warfare-Air Large system for the U.S. Army. MFEW-AL, an airborne EW platform, can detect, locate, disrupt and interrupt communications and radar signals at different ranges.

The platform was installed on the Army’s MC-12W fixed-wing planes.