Schumer: DoD Contract Allows Central NY Workers to Keep Army Radars Operational as War in Afghanistan Winds Down

Statement

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a $12 million contract to Lockheed Martin in Liverpool, NY to provide contractor support, including repairs and field support, to state-of-the-art Q-53 radar systems used by the U.S. Army oversees. Specifically, the Lockheed plant in Onondaga County will continue to service the eight Q-53 radars currently used in Afghanistan, the 24 that are used domestically, and in Germany and Hawaii. Schumer noted that this contract will allow the Army to continue using these radar systems instead of suffering from large scale logistical changes.

"I applaud the Department of Defense for awarding this critical contract to further our troops' mission abroad with the help of the thousands of Lockheed Martin workers in Central New York," said Schumer. "This $12 million U.S. Army contract will keep these radar systems operational in Afghanistan as our military's presence winds down. Lockheed is among the largest employers in the Syracuse region and will provide support to vital equipment that keeps our troops safe and better able to defend themselves against rockets and mortars."

Schumer noted that the $12 million award will allow workers in Liverpool to provide contract support for the Lockheed Martin AN/TPQ-53 counter fire target acquisition radar, which is a new generation of counterfire sensor with the flexibility to adapt to uncooperative adversaries and changing missions. This radar system helps our soldiers quickly locate and neutralize mortar and rocket threats. Schumer emphasized that this is especially important for our troops who are fighting in unconventional battlefields and irregular warfare. This innovative sensor is replacing aging medium-range radars now in the Army's inventory.

The Q-53 can be rapidly deployed and integrated into the tactical battlefield with heavy, medium and light forces. The Q-53 is mobile, maneuverable, fully supportable and easily maintained. The Target Acquisition Subsystem contains the radar on a single prime mover and tows the power generator. This package performs all essential missions of the Q-53 for short durations. A second prime mover carries an operations control shelter, backup power generator, and two additional soldiers to provide a sustained operations capability. Adapting to mission requirements, soldiers can operate the Q-53 remotely using a laptop computer or from the fully equipped climate-controlled shelter. The radar's software enables it to interface directly with the Army Battle Command Systems. Compared to currently deployed systems, the new, battle-tested Q-53 offers enhanced performance, including greater mobility, increased reliability and supportability, a lower life-cycle cost, reduced crew size, and the ability to track targets in a full-spectrum environment, a vital capability on today's battlefield.

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