Northrop Grumman has collaborated with Taiwanese partners Ramatek, Champion Auto, and Vivian & Vincent International Trading to deliver its AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capabilities (ADCAP) radar system to Taiwan, aiming to bolster the nation’s air surveillance and defense capabilities. The radar operates in the S-band frequency, which helps minimize interference in crowded electromagnetic environments while maintaining consistent detection performance. Its stacked beam architecture enables simultaneous tracking of both high- and low-altitude aerial targets, ensuring comprehensive situational awareness across various weather conditions.
Designed for versatility and rapid deployment, the AN/TPS-78 radar is compact and transportable, allowing movement by C-130 cargo aircraft, helicopters, trucks, or trains, and can be operational in under 30 minutes by a team of just four personnel. The radar supports long-range detection with a maximum range of 240 nautical miles (approximately 444 kilometers), offering scan rates of either 5 or 10 seconds. These capabilities enable rapid-update operations, including ground-controlled intercepts and tactical ballistic missile tracking.
Additionally, the radar includes subsystems optimized for detecting and tracking smaller, emerging threats such as drones and maritime targets. Advanced automated tracking algorithms ensure continuous monitoring while reducing false alarms. Widely used by the U.S. Air Force and international defense partners, the AN/TPS-78 provides a strategic advantage by combining long-range coverage, flexible deployment, and multi-target tracking, making it an essential asset for enhancing Taiwan’s layered air defense network.
