Lockheed Martin and Qorvo have been working together for the last decade to create trusted source microelectronics for the U.S. military’s top systems. One example is the AN/TPQ-53, or Q-53, counterfire radar. To date, more than 100 systems have been manufactured for the United States Army.
Developed as a replacement for the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37, the Q-53 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar detects, locates and classifies incoming rockets and mortars, allowing time for shelter and counterfire opportunities. The Q-53 is highly mobile and can be set up rapidly to provide counterfire target acquisition.
The Lockheed Martin-Qorvo team is manufacturing five MMICS used in the TR-module antenna phased array radar. The AN/TPQ-53 counterfire radar system consists of two vehicles. One truck, the Mission Essential Group, contains the radar antenna and power generator; the second truck, the Sustainment Group, carries the operations shelter and backup power generator.
To manufacture this secure, mobile technology, Qorvo’s in-house foundry — an MRL 9 facility — provides key partners, like Lockheed Martin, accreditation as a Category 1A "Trusted Source" supplier for the U.S. Department of Defense. The foundry products are manufactured with the same high-precision process controls that ensure NASA-trusted reliability and functionality.
Qorvo provides GaAs solutions for the Q-53's S-band solid-state phased array radar. They also provide the integrated assembly and highly-specialized packaging of RF components to support mission capabilities, from the amplifiers and gain blocks to attenuators and switches covering these bands.
