An In-Depth Look at South Korea’s Sophisticated Radar Systems for Countering North Korean Artillery

Expeditiously Tracing North Korean Artillery Provocations and Long-Range Shells
Pinpointing the Launch Points of Concurrent Artillery Fires
Capable of Missile Detection up to a Distance of 60 Kilometers

In the event of artillery fire provocations by North Korea, the pivotal assets enabling South Korea’s military to trace the origin in real-time are the counter-battery radar systems. Such advanced equipment is standard among nations with structured artillery, as it permits the calculation of the firing point by analyzing the ballistic trajectory of hostile artillery.

The South Korean Army has fortified its real-time counter-fire capabilities with two primary types of counter-battery radars: the “AN/TPQ-36·37” and the “ARTHUR,” with the domestically developed “AN/TPQ-74K Cheon Gyeong” as an additional asset. “Cheon Gyeong,” part of the “Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA)” suite, boasts a remarkable 18-hour operating time and a detection radius exceeding 37.3 miles.

AN/TPQ-37 Renders Shells and Rockets Above 31 Miles Detectable

Lockheed Martin’s AN/TPQ-36 has the aptitude to detect artillery at 15.5 miles, whereas the larger AN/TPQ-37 extends this capacity to about 31 miles, identifying rockets and missiles. These systems are crucial in locating the source of North Korean artillery, facilitating effective counterresponses.

The AN/TPQ-53 is a newer model comprising two 5-ton trucks, capable of a 360-degree operational angle. This system is not only adept in tracking traditional artillery but also in identifying and monitoring drones, crucial to modern battlefield reconnaissance and combat.

ARTHUR Tracks Over 100 Targets Within 37.3 Miles

Introduced in 2006, the ARTHUR counter-battery radar was selected for its cost-efficiency and compatible performance with existing military radars. Mountable on a tracked multi-purpose vehicle, ARTHUR can handle electronic warfare countermeasures and can detect over 100 targets per minute.

AN/TPQ-74K Doubles Detection Range and Operational Scope

The Cheon Gyeong features an improved detection range and can remain operational for an extended period compared to ARTHUR-K, thanks to the implementation of gallium nitride (GaN) components. This hike in efficiency and simultaneous target handling capacity enables rapid response to enemy fire.