AN/TPS 59 Radar System

Full Specifications

AN/TPS 59 Long Range Air Surveillance Radar

The AN/TPS 59 radar is a long range, land-based air surveillance and ballistic missile defense system developed to provide early warning of aircraft and missile threats. Its 360-degree coverage and high-altitude detection make it a key asset for theater air defense and ballistic missile tracking missions. The system is operational with the U.S. Marine Corps and allied forces, and has been deployed internationally for expeditionary defense.

Manufacturer

Originally developed by Hughes Aircraft Company and now produced by Lockheed Martin, the AN/TPS 59 has evolved through multiple upgrades to support modern air and missile defense missions. Lockheed Martin also provides training, maintenance, and integration support for international users.

Speed and Range

The radar tracks high-speed targets, including tactical ballistic missiles, at ranges exceeding 740 kilometers. It can monitor low-flying aircraft, UAVs, and high-altitude ballistic trajectories simultaneously. Its electronic beam steering and wide elevation coverage enable near real-time detection and cueing of defensive systems.

Cost / Price

Exact pricing is classified, but open source estimates place the system in the tens of millions of U.S. dollars, depending on configuration, export requirements, and support packages.

Operational Role

AN/TPS 59 supports air surveillance, ballistic missile warning, and integration with air defense networks such as Patriot and Aegis. In recent years, Lockheed Martin delivered the AN/TPS‑59(V)3B radar to Bahrain under a U.S. Foreign Military Sale, where it completed site acceptance tests and became operational with the Bahrain Defence Force. Personnel were trained at Lockheed Martin’s Syracuse facility, ensuring effective deployment and operation.