AN/TPS-43

The AN/TPS-43 is a transportable air search 3D radar produced in the United States originally by Westinghouse Defense and Electronic Division, which was later purchased by Northrop-Grumman.

The AN/TPS-43 radar set

Description

The AN/TPS-43 is a ground-based, non-fixed (i.e.: transportable) search radar.[n 1][1]

The entire system can be broken down and packed into two M35 trucks for road transport. The TPS-43E2 was redesignated the AN/TPS-75 which is the current transportable air control and warning (AC&W) radar used by the United States Air Force.

Variants

In addition to the basic TPS-43 several variants were developed.[2]

  • TPS-43A (antenna tilt; new IFF)
  • TPS-43B (enlarged shelter; changes to transmitter)
  • TPS-43C / 43CX (increased reliability; IFF improvements)
  • TPS-43D / 43DX (ISLS added; maximum detection range increased)
  • TPS-43E (major redesign; improvements to electronics, mechanics and shelter)
  • TPS-43F / subvariants V1 to V6 (major redesign; enlarged shelter, improved electronics; increased reliability)
  • TPS-43G (4MW version designed for Pakistan)[3]
  • TPS-43M (improved electronics; increased dynamic range; improved IFF incorporating several modules in a single unit)
  • TPS-430

Operational history

The AN/TPS-43 completed development in 1963 and entered US service in 1968.

This radar was deployed by the Argentine Air Force during the 1982 Falklands War to Stanley and survived two British attacks with AGM-45 Shrike anti radar missiles on May 31 and June 3.[4] One of the radars was captured by British forces after the Argentine surrender and deployed at RAF Buchan[5] Another set installed at Rio Grande, in the mainland, was used to guide Argentine attacks on the British fleet.[6]

Users

Specifications
  • Weight (including shelter): < 3400 kg
  • Frequency range: 2.9 to 3.1 GHz (S-Band)
  • Pulse repetition frequency: Fixed: 250 Hz, Staggered: Six PRF's around 250 Hz
  • Pulse width: 6.5 microseconds
  • Peak power: 4.0 MW
  • Average power: 6.7 KW
  • Beam width (horizontal): 1.1 degrees
  • Beam width (vertical): 1.5 to 8.1 degrees; total 20 degree coverage; six stacked beams
  • Antenna rotation rate: 6 rpm
  • Maximum display range: 450 km [8]
  • Antenna characteristics: Reflector aperture 14 ft (4.27 m) high by 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m) wide

See also

Footnotes
  1. The US Military description for radar type TPS is "Ground, Transportable; Radar; Detecting, Range and Bearing, Search".

References

Notes
  1. "radar_types". mobileradar.org.
  2. "radar_descptn_3". mobileradar.org.
  3. Pakdef.org: Pakistan Air Defence Ground Environment System
  4. Vulcan: God of Fire, p.(TBC), The History Press (2012).
  5. "Subbrit:RSG: Sites: RAF Buchan: (former, ROTOR R3 GCI Radar Station 'GBU')". subbrit.org.uk.
  6. Exocet Falklands: The Untold Story of Special Forces Operations, p.82, Pen and Sword (2014).
  7. Medio siglo de gastos para la Defensa y la Seguridad en Argentina (1976-2006)- 2da. Parte Centro de Estudios Nueva Mayoría (2007) (accessed 2015-01-02)
  8. "Radar Basics". radartutorial.eu.

Sources
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