The AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel is a Raytheon mobile X-band 3D air-defense radar used to cue short-range air-defense weapons, NASAMS batteries, and newer IFPC launchers against aircraft, helicopters, drones, cruise missiles, and other low-altitude threats. U.S. records identify Sentinel transfers and training for Ukraine in 2022, a DSCA notice later named the MPQ-64F1 in Ukraine's NASAMS package, and follow-on reporting documents sustainment and visual-loss evidence.
The United States committed two AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air-surveillance radars to Ukraine in April 2022 and publicly discussed Ukrainian training on the radar. CRS later described Ukraine as having received Sentinel radars, DSCA listed an AN/MPQ-64F1 in a Ukraine NASAMS package, and later OIG and OSINT sources support sustainment and at least one visually documented Ukrainian loss.
Role detailsThe Sentinel family sits between battlefield air-defense weapons and the command networks that decide what to engage. Its value is the air picture: three-dimensional tracks, target identification, and fire-control data for weapons defending maneuver units or fixed sites.
Raytheon describes Sentinel as reporting range, bearing, and elevation for tracked objects and cueing air-defense weapons against hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and missiles.
Kongsberg identifies the MPQ-64F1 Sentinel as the NASAMS radar that supplies target data, including 360-degree surveillance and tracking coverage.
Army reporting describes Sentinel tracks supporting Avenger slew-to-cue training, while DOT&E identifies Sentinel as the IFPC Inc 2 fire-control radar that sends radar tracks into IBCS.
The strongest public evidence is transfer, training, package, sustainment, and loss documentation rather than a public engagement account naming a specific Sentinel track.
Sentinel designations cover the original AN/MPQ-64 family, improved A3/F1 configurations, and the separately cataloged A4 redesign.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| AN/MPQ-64 | Baseline Sentinel | Army acquisition reporting describes the AN/MPQ-64 entering service in 1995 with an X-band radar on a high-mobility trailer and HMMWV prime mover before later FMTV-based improvements. Sources: A New Vehicle for Savings, Acquisition partnership to roll out new improved Sentinel Radar |
| AN/MPQ-64A3 Enhanced Sentinel | Enhanced U.S. Army variant | The A3 program moved Sentinel onto an FMTV-based platform, added survivability and integration updates, and retained the 3D X-band air-defense radar role with a reported 75 km instrumented range. Sources: Letterkenny rolls out first vehicle for enhanced radar surveillance, Acquisition partnership to roll out new improved Sentinel Radar |
| AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel | NASAMS radar configuration | Kongsberg describes the MPQ-64F1 Sentinel as a mobile X-band pulse-Doppler radar providing 360-degree surveillance and target data to NASAMS. |
 | AESA replacement radar | The existing Sentinel A4 catalog page covers Lockheed Martin's AN/MPQ-64A4 replacement for the legacy Sentinel A3, with AESA architecture, RAM detection, and integration with IBCS and IFPC. Sources: Modernized Sentinel sensor test eyes growing threat variety, Sentinel A4 | Lockheed Martin |
Sentinel is a sensor and fire-control-data source rather than an interceptor. Public sources document its target-data role in NASAMS, its air-track support for Avenger slew-to-cue training, and its fire-control radar role in IFPC Inc 2.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Medium-range surface-to-air missile system | Kongsberg describes the MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar as providing target data to NASAMS, and DSCA's Ukraine NASAMS notice lists the Sentinel radar as part of the requested package. Sources: Raytheon MPQ64F1 sentinel radar - Kongsberg, Ukraine - National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) |
 | Short-range air-defense launcher | The U.S. Army reported Sentinel radar tracks being passed to Avenger systems to validate Avenger and Sentinel integration for the slew-to-cue capability. Sources: Avenger and Sentinel Advanced Gunnery validates SHORAD capabilities on the Korean Peninsula |
 | IFPC Inc 2 launcher | DOT&E identifies AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel as the IFPC Inc 2 primary fire-control radar that provides radar track data to IBCS; Leidos separately reported a flight test integrating IBCS, Sentinel A3, and missile datalink with Enduring Shield. Sources: DOT&E FY2025 IFPC Inc 2 report, Enduring Shield intercepts targets in flight test |
Army acquisition reporting describes the AN/MPQ-64 as entering service in 1995 as an X-band radar on a high-mobility trailer with an HMMWV prime mover and generator.
Sources: A New Vehicle for Savings
USAASC describes the early Sentinel fleet as HMMWV-towed X-band radars before later FMTV-based survivability and mobility improvements.
Sources: Acquisition partnership to roll out new improved Sentinel Radar
The U.S. Army reported the rollout of an AN/MPQ-64A3 Enhanced Sentinel mounted on the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles platform.
Sources: Letterkenny rolls out first vehicle for enhanced radar surveillance
The April 2022 U.S. security-assistance package for Ukraine included two AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel air-surveillance radars.
Sources: $800 Million in Additional Security Assistance for Ukraine
A Congressional Research Service brief on NASAMS stated that Ukraine had already received a number of Sentinel radars and identified AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel as one of NASAMS's primary components.
Sources: National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) - CRS
DSCA notified Congress of a possible NASAMS sale to Ukraine that included one AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel radar.
Sources: Ukraine - National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS)
