Lockheed Martin Delivers First AN/TPY-4 Radar to U.S. Air Force Under 3DELRR Program

Lockheed Martin has officially delivered the first AN/TPY-4 radar system to the United States Air Force under the long-anticipated Three-Dimensional Expeditionary Long-Range Radar (3DELRR) program. This milestone marks a major step in modernizing the Air Force’s radar fleet and significantly improving its ability to detect and track modern aerial threats.

According to Lockheed Martin, the delivery came after the successful completion of early-phase testing, demonstrating the radar’s readiness for operational deployment. Rick Cordaro, Vice President of Radar and Sensor Systems at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the importance of the achievement, stating that the system represents a high-performance solution built to meet the Air Force’s evolving needs.

The AN/TPY-4 radar is set to replace the decades-old AN/TPS-75 system, which, while still in limited use, lacks the sophistication needed to counter advanced threats on today’s rapidly changing battlefield. Unlike its predecessor, the TPY-4 is a state-of-the-art, fully digital radar that can detect stealthy, next-generation targets and provide real-time air surveillance in highly contested environments.

Key Features and Specifications of the AN/TPY-4 Radar:

• Fully Digital System: Built on a software-defined architecture, allowing for easier upgrades and adaptability to emerging threats.

• Advanced Threat Detection: Capable of detecting low-observable, fast-moving, and hard-to-track aerial targets, including cruise missiles and drones.

• Electronic Warfare Resilience: Maintains performance even in environments affected by electronic jamming or signal disruption.

• GaN Technology: Utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) components for higher reliability, lower maintenance costs, and improved energy efficiency over older gallium arsenide (GaAs) systems.

• Modular and Transportable Design: Available in fixed-site and mobile configurations. It can be rapidly deployed using aircraft such as the C-130 or C-17, trucks, rail, or even helicopters.

• Long-Range Coverage: Designed to provide early warning capabilities over vast distances, enhancing national and allied missile defense strategies.

The AN/TPY-4 is part of a larger initiative to deploy 35 such radar systems under the U.S. Air Force’s 3DELRR program. This effort aims to bolster U.S. and allied air and missile defense capabilities, especially in expeditionary and forward-operating scenarios where traditional radar systems may be vulnerable or inadequate.

With the delivery of this first unit, Lockheed Martin has set the stage for a new generation of radar capabilities—smarter, faster, and more resilient. The TPY-4 stands as a vital asset in preparing the U.S. military for the challenges of tomorrow’s airspace, from emerging hypersonic threats to advanced stealth platforms.