Direct proof of use
The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation reported that Quick Reaction Capability AN/TPQ-53 radar fielding began in 2010, with ten systems operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. The same report described the system as a radar used by field artillery units to locate threat rocket, artillery, and mortar systems for counterfire, and by air defense artillery units with C-RAM and indirect-fire protection systems to warn friendly forces and support engagements.
Army Fires Bulletin coverage of the 2013 Red Book separately identified B Battery, 171st Target Acquisition Battery as deploying to Afghanistan to operate the newest Q-53 counterfire radar, placing a named U.S. Army target-acquisition unit with the system in the Afghanistan theater.
Sources: Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 FY2011 DOT&E Report, Fires 2013 Red Book
Timeline
In 2010, QRC fielding began with ten systems operating in Iraq and Afghanistan. In September 2011, the Army designated the QRC system as the AN/TPQ-53 radar, and DOT&E reported initial fielding of twelve QRC radars completed in July 2011 with the remaining QRC radars planned for fiscal years 2012 through 2014.
By the 2013 Red Book period, B Battery, 171st Target Acquisition Battery was listed among Army National Guard field artillery units deploying to Afghanistan to operate the Q-53 counterfire radar. Later DOT&E reporting described the broader Q-53 QRC fleet as thirty-eight radars fielded between 2010 and 2014 to fulfill a combat-theater Urgent Materiel Release request.
Sources: Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 FY2011 DOT&E Report, Fires 2013 Red Book, AN/TPQ-53 IOT&E Report
Operational role
In Afghanistan, the AN/TPQ-53 was documented as a U.S. Army counterfire and force-protection sensor rather than a strike weapon. Its stated mission was to detect, classify, and track projectiles from mortars, artillery, and rockets; determine firing points and expected impact locations; feed warning systems; and provide target-location data that could support counterfire.
The available public sources support theater operation and unit deployment, but they do not identify specific Afghan incidents, exact radar locations, or individual counterfire engagements tied to the AN/TPQ-53. The documented user in the cited Afghanistan material is the U.S. Army within the broader United States, NATO, and Afghan government side.
Sources: Enhanced AN/TPQ-36 FY2011 DOT&E Report, Fires 2013 Red Book, AN/TPQ-53 IOT&E Report
