US Army Sentinel A4 Radar Set for Low-Rate Initial Production

The U.S. Army has approved low-rate initial production for the Sentinel A4 radar program.

Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, program executive officer of missiles and space at the Army and a past Potomac Officers Club event speaker, said the Army is also preparing for initial operational test and evaluation for the Sentinel A4. According to the PEO, the Sentinel A4 will be a key component of the Army’s future Indirect Fire Protection Capability because the Sentinel’s radar can accurately identify missiles and help warfighters intercept threats.

Lockheed expects to deliver 19 Sentinel A4 systems in fiscal year 2025, with initial test and evaluation set for that same period, Defense News reported Wednesday.

The Sentinel A4 is an active electronically scanned array system designed to replace the current phase and frequency scanned array Sentinel A3 and earlier versions. According to Lockheed, Sentinel A4 can be integrated with existing defense systems like the National Capital Region-Integrated Air Defense System, the Aegis Combat Management System and the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

The system can detect cruise missiles, fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and artillery and mortar threats. It can calculate targets’ points of impact, allowing warfighters to accurately determine the point of intercept.