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TheAN/TPY-2 Surveillance Transportable Radar, or Forward BasedX-band Transportable (FBX-T) is a long-range, very high-altitude activedigital antenna array[1][2]surveillance radar designed to add a tier to existing missile and air defence systems. It has a range of up to 3,000 kilometres (1,600 nmi; 1,900 mi), depending on target/mode.[3] Manufactured byRaytheon, it is the primary radar for theTerminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system, but alsocues theAN/MPQ-53 radar of theMIM-104 Patriot system. Patriot PAC-3 is a lower-altitude missile and air defense system than THAAD.
In accordance with theJoint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/TPY-2" designation represents the second design of anArmy-Navyelectronic device for ground transportablesurveillance radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name allDepartment of Defense and someNATO electronic systems.
The TPY-2 is a missile-defense radar that can detect, classify, track and intercept ballistic missiles. It has two operating modes; one to detect ballistic missiles as they rise, and another to guide interceptors toward a descending warhead. Once it detects the missile, it acquires, tracks, and discriminates between the warhead and non-threats such as countermeasures to destroy the missile with a hit to kill kinetic warhead.[4]
The AN/TPY-2 is an X band active electronically scanned arrayradar, which operates in the 8.55–10 GHz (3.51–3.00 cm)X-band. Raytheon builds it as part of an X-band family, along with the National Missile Defense (NMD) X-Band Radar (XBR) andAN/FPS-129 HAVE STARE.[5] X-band provides better target resolution than lower frequency bands, for example theL band, though lower frequency bands generally perform better detecting targets with a lowradar cross section (RCS). The X-band frequency and narrow beam width improve differentiation, or “range resolution,” between smaller objects, such as warheads, clutter, and decoys. Once information about the threat of missile is received, determining information such as its speed and trajectory, this data is immediately passed along to ballisticmissile defense system (BMDS) tracking, discrimination, and fire control radars downstream. This approach extends sensor coverage, the possibility to extend the BMDS battlespace, and the ability to complicate missiles ability to penetrate the defense system.
The U.S.Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and Raytheon planned to improve detection range and sensitivity of the X-band TPY-2 missile defense radar through the introduction of gallium nitride semiconductor components. On September 25, 2024, RTX (Raytheon) announced that completing their first TPY-2 with a full complement ofGaN devices.[6]
TheU.S. Army developed the system and remains responsible for its use byair defense artillery in theater and tactical applications. As a component of national ballistic missile defense, the U.S.Missile Defense Agency is responsible for AN/TPY-2 applications.[citation needed]
It has been deployed in Japan to collect strategic-level information on North Korean missile developments, as well as warning Japan of incoming warheads. Also, AN/TPY-2 radar in Shariki region is able to scan Russian territory near Japan. Japan has bought both PAC-3 for point defense, and is upgrading the AEGIS systems on itsKongo-classdestroyers so they can use the longer-rangeRIM-161 Standard Missile 3 theater ballistic missile defence.[citation needed]
An AN/TPY-2 is based in Alaska as part ofUnited States national missile defense development. The U.S. has agreed to provide the system to Israel, complementing their two-tierArrow 2 missile and Patriot PAC-3 missile defense.[7] The TPY-2 complements the fixed AN/FPS-129 HAVE STARE X-band "large dish" radar, located atVandenberg Space Force Base inCalifornia. Smaller mobile X-band dishes, not yet designated, may also be paired with the AN/TPY-2.
The1st Space Brigade now supervises U.S. Army TPY-2 radar sites (batteries) in Qatar, Turkey, and Israel (13th Missile Defence Battery).[citation needed]
