The Pentagon plans to deploy new AN/MPQ-64A4 Sentinel radars.
AN/MPQ-64A4 during transport. The truck's back contains a radar generator.
To further develop and strengthen air and missile defense, the United States recently developed a new modification of the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar. The "A4" radar has passed all required tests and confirmed its expected performance. Preparations are currently underway for full-scale serial production, and deployment plans for new products are being developed.
Events and plans
It's worth noting that the AN/MPQ-64A4 station was developed by Lockheed Martin beginning in 2019. In just a few years, the contractor completed all the necessary design work, as well as manufactured and tested prototype equipment. Following these efforts, the Pentagon moved the Sentinel A4 program to a new stage.
In 2022, Lockheed Martin built and delivered the first radar of the new modification to the Army. Subsequently, several additional experimental/pre-production units were ordered. These stations were intended for experimental military use at combat units. As was later revealed, the equipment was deployed at a US base in South Korea.
Recently, the initial results of the pilot operation of advanced radars, as well as the Pentagon's future plans, were revealed. On December 12, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited Redstone Arsenal, which is responsible for the development and implementation of various systems for the ground forces. He was briefed on various programs, including the modernization of the Sentinel radar fleet.
Radar in working position
Arsenal officers recalled the pilot operation of the AN/MPQ-64A4 systems and noted that it yielded positive results. Valuable experience has been accumulated and feedback has been received, which will serve as feedback. However, for obvious reasons, all the details of the new radars' service life have not been made publicly available.
Plans for the near future were also revealed. As early as January, one of the new radars will be deployed to the so-called National Capital Region. The Sentinel system will complement the existing system. Defense The District of Columbia will strengthen the protection of key federal facilities. Furthermore, operation in a critical area will allow for additional valuable experience.
In parallel, preparations for the production line will continue. Full-scale production is planned to begin by the end of the 2026 financial year, i.e., no later than next August. The first production stations will likely be delivered to the customer by the end of the calendar year.
Stations in service
Thus, next year, Lockheed Martin will begin full-scale serial production of the new AN/MPQ-64A4 radars. Mass deliveries of this equipment to combat air defense units of the ground forces will also begin. For obvious reasons, full details of these retrofitting plans are being kept under wraps. However, it is already known what the Pentagon plans to do and what results it expects.
According to available data, the majority of Sentinel radars currently in active service are the previous AN/MPQ-64A3 model. These systems were built over the past decade and, as they entered service, replaced older systems. This resulted in improvements in all key performance characteristics, such as detection range, the number of targets processed, etc.
In the coming years, the Ministry of Defense will conduct a new modernization of this type. The latest modification of the A4 radars will be delivered to units, supplementing their existing A3 radars. Then, in the medium term, older radars will be decommissioned, and the proportion of new radars will increase. Following these processes, the ground forces' air and missile defense will completely transition to the modern AN/MPQ-64A4.
The new radars will interact with existing command and control structures and anti-aircraft systems. They will be responsible for air situational awareness, identifying dangerous objects, and providing target designation. Apparently, the adoption of the modernized radar will not lead to a major overhaul of the air defense and missile defense system as a whole. However, it will improve its key performance characteristics and enhance the level of protection for the areas covered.
Deep upgrade
As part of the AN/MPQ-64A4 project, Lockheed Martin carried out a comprehensive upgrade of the existing A3 radar. While the overall architecture of the system remained unchanged, all major components and assemblies were replaced. This upgrade included the introduction of entirely new components manufactured using modern technologies.
The latest version of the Sentinel is a mobile radar with enhanced performance. All its components are mounted on a two-axle trailer, which can be towed by any suitable vehicle. Operation is only carried out at fixed locations after appropriate preparation.
The AN/MPQ-64A4 design incorporates a completely new active phased array antenna. Its transmitting and receiving elements, unlike those of previous Sentinels, are manufactured using gallium nitride. This new material and associated technologies have improved the radar's key performance characteristics.
The active electronically scanned array (AESA) is mounted on a rotating base, allowing for rapid changes in field of view. During operation, the array remains stationary, and scanning is performed electronically. Rotating the antenna assembly achieves 360-degree azimuth coverage. Previous AN/MPQ-64 modifications detected targets at elevation angles from -10° to +55°. The vertical field of view likely remained largely unchanged in the new design.
The new radar's key performance characteristics are still classified. However, officials are already revealing some intriguing information. During Peter Hegseth's recent visit to Redstone Arsenal, a clear hint about the station's key specification was dropped. A spokesperson from the Arsenal stated that the AN/MPQ-64A4 system's airborne detection range is 75% better than the previous version.
According to available data, the AN/MPQ-64A3 station can detect large objects from a distance of 120 km. Accordingly, the new "A4" system should have a similar range of 200-210 km. However, such figures have not yet been officially announced.
It is also reported that the Sentinel A4 will be able to simultaneously track a larger number of targets, although the exact number is not specified. It is also said to use a new computing system with increased performance and improved data processing quality.
Desired result
Since the end of the last decade, Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon have been working on a new modification of the existing radar. The scope of the innovations allows us to speak of, at the very least, a thorough modernization. Despite all the difficulties, the development process was completed. The AN/MPQ-64A4 experimental radars then underwent all necessary testing, including in combat units.
In just the next few weeks, the new radar will be integrated into the air and missile defense system of the country's most critical region. The Sentinel A4 will provide coverage for key federal government agencies. The Pentagon likely plans to use this complex and critical mission to demonstrate the project's level of development and overall maturity.
Furthermore, full-scale serial production of the new equipment will begin next year. This production will allow for the re-equipment of units outside the District of Columbia and the enhancement of air and missile defense in other regions. The defense modernization process using the AN/MPQ-64A4 will take several years. However, the expected results should fully justify all existing and future expenditures.
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