AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel vs AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar

FORCETALLY

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ARadar & sensors

AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel

X-band electronically steered pulse-Doppler 3D radar system

BRadar & sensors

AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar

transportable radar

First system

Second system

Measured figures

Head to head

4 of 21 rows sourced on both sides

120kmAN/MPQ-64F1/A3

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Range

All recorded figures & sources

40 km

AN/MPQ-64

Single source

120 km

AN/MPQ-64F1/A3

Single source

Configuration

Details

AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel and AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar configuration
Specification	AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel	AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar
Country of origin	United States^[source]	United States^[source]Country/countries explicitly given in the equipment row Origin column; not the country operating the row. AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder United States^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 8, row 8, cell 4; revision 1377480423; retrieved 2026-10-01
Frequency	X band^[source] X-band^[source]Sentinel · baseline described in 2007	—

Azimuth	360°^[source]	—

Elevation	–10° to +55°^[source]	—

Role	X-band electronically steered pulse-Doppler 3D radar system^[source]	transportable radar^[source]

Manufacturer	Raytheon Missiles & Defense^[source]	Northrop Grumman^[source]

Source measurement	The antenna uses phase-frequency electronic scanning technology , forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. It uses a rotating platform with a high scan rate (30 RPM) to provide 360 degree coverage. The radar is designed with high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM) and anti-radiation missiles (ARM).^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · Main characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The system can be deployed using HMMWV fitted with a 10 kW 400 Hz 115/200 VAC on-board power generator. It can be operated autonomously and communicate with the fire direction center via wideband fiber-optic link. It can also distribute its data over a SINCGARS radio network.^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · Main characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage AN/MPQ-64A3 is mounted on a 2.5 ton trailer with an on-board power generator, towed by an armored Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck.^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · AN/MPQ-64A3 Enhanced Sentinel; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	Engineering development of the TPQ-36 began October 1973. Although full scale production was approved in December 1977, the system did not achieve full scale production until August 1978. Low rate initial production (LRIP) began in December 1976 ending in February 1981. Total crew size required for missions and operational requirements for extended periods was initially estimated at 8 personnel.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Its maximum range is 15 miles (24 km) with an effective range of 11 miles (18 km) for artillery and 15 miles (24 km) for rockets. Its azimuth sector is 90°. It operates in the X-band at 32 frequencies. Peak transmitted power is 23 kW, min.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · Operations/maintainers/specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage It features permanent storage for 99 targets, has a field exercise mode and uses a digital data interface.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · Operations/maintainers/specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Source measurement

The antenna uses phase-frequency electronic scanning technology , forming sharp 3D pencil beams covering large surveillance and track volume. It uses a rotating platform with a high scan rate (30 RPM) to provide 360 degree coverage. The radar is designed with high resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM) and anti-radiation missiles (ARM).^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · Main characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The system can be deployed using HMMWV fitted with a 10 kW 400 Hz 115/200 VAC on-board power generator. It can be operated autonomously and communicate with the fire direction center via wideband fiber-optic link. It can also distribute its data over a SINCGARS radio network.^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · Main characteristics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

AN/MPQ-64A3 is mounted on a 2.5 ton trailer with an on-board power generator, towed by an armored Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truck.^[source]AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel · AN/MPQ-64A3 Enhanced Sentinel; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Engineering development of the TPQ-36 began October 1973. Although full scale production was approved in December 1977, the system did not achieve full scale production until August 1978. Low rate initial production (LRIP) began in December 1976 ending in February 1981. Total crew size required for missions and operational requirements for extended periods was initially estimated at 8 personnel.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · History; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Its maximum range is 15 miles (24 km) with an effective range of 11 miles (18 km) for artillery and 15 miles (24 km) for rockets. Its azimuth sector is 90°. It operates in the X-band at 32 frequencies. Peak transmitted power is 23 kW, min.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · Operations/maintainers/specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

It features permanent storage for 99 targets, has a field exercise mode and uses a digital data interface.^[source]AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar · Operations/maintainers/specifications; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Reported operators	—	Reported operator · Australia Reported operator · Chile Reported operator · Netherlands Reported operator · Portugal Reported operator · Pakistan Reported operator · Spain Reported operator · Sri Lanka Reported operator · Turkey Reported operator · Ukraine Reported operator · United States