A missile or missiles can be launched manually or in an automatic mode from the firing section by the fire control section. However, it still plays a vital role in the coordination of SAM assets into the integrated theater air defense environment. The TPS-59 radar provides target detection, discrimination, and tracking. The HAWK launcher transports, protects and launches the missiles. Each HAWK launcher can carry up to three missiles.
HAWK missiles use radar guidance and destroy their targets in proximity explosions.
Finally, the ADCP will connect the TPS-59 with the HAWK and the remainder of the theater missile defense architecture in order to create missile defense in depth. The most prominent upgrade to the HAWK system includes modifying the Marine Corps primary air surveillance radar, the TPS-59. The improved radar will detect theater ballistic missiles out to 400 nautical miles and up to 500,000 feet in altitude. The first units were equipped with upgraded TPS-59s in FY98. The Air Defense Communications Platform, an entirely new addition to the HAWK system, will link the TPS-59 to the HAWK battery and will also transmit formatted data to other theater sensors.