After successfully completing operational demonstrations, Lockheed Martin’s penetrating radar capable of detecting objects that are buried, camouflaged or concealed under dense foliage was deployed to support US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

Lockheed Martin’s tactical reconnaissance and counter-concealment-enabled radar (TRACER) will support SOUTHCOM missions in counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

TRACER is a light weight, low-frequency synthetic-aperture radar that can peer through foliage, rain, darkness, dust storms or atmospheric haze to provide real-time, high-quality tactical ground imagery. Prior to this deployment, TRACER successfully completed more than 160 flight tests on manned and unmanned platforms. For its SOUTHCOM mission, TRACER will operate on a US Army C12 aircraft.

There are currently four qualified TRACER systems available for deployment on manned or unmanned platforms. TRACER was developed for the US Army’s Intelligence and Information Warfare Directorate, based at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.