AN/SPS-49

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AN/SPS-49
SPS-49 Air Search Radar antenna.jpg
AN/SPS-49 on USS Abraham Lincoln
Country of origin United States
Introduced1975
No. built200+
Type2D Air-search
Frequency L band 851–942 MHz
Range3 nmi (5.6 km) to 256 nmi (474 km) (AN/SPS-49A(V)1)
Altitudeup to 150,000 ft
(45,720 m)
Diameter24 ft (7.3 m) × 14 ft 3 in
(7.3 m × 4.3 m)
Azimuth 0 to 360°
Precision1/16 nmi range
0.5 deg azimuth (SPS-49A(V)1)
Power360 kW peak, 13 kW average (AN/SPS-49A(V)1)

The AN/SPS-49 is a United States Navy two-dimensional, long range air search radar built by Raytheon that can provide contact bearing and range. It is a primary air-search radar for numerous ships in the U.S. fleet and in Spain, Poland, Taiwan aboard Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates, Canada on its Halifax-class frigate (prior to FELEX mid-life upgrade) and New Zealand on its Anzac-class frigates. It formerly served in a complementary role aboard Aegis cruisers with the AN/SPY-1 but the systems are currently being removed during routine upgrade with no replacement.

Contents

In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/SPS-49" designation represents the 49th design of an Army-Navy electronic device for surface ship search radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.

Operation

First tested in 1965 aboard USS Gyatt and introduced in 1975, the AN/SPS-49 operates in the 851–942 MHz, or L-, band and has a range of 256 nautical miles (474 km). The orange-peel parabolic shape of the antenna creates a narrow 3.3°-beam to reduce the probability of detection or jamming. It can rotate at 6 rpm in long range mode or 12 rpm in short-range mode. [1] Default is at 12 rpm for the AN/SPS-49A(V)1, to provide more frequent scans against incoming missiles. The SPS-49A(V)1 can detect out to its full range at either 6 or 12 rpm. The antenna is stabilised to compensate for ships pitch and roll, to a maximum of +/-15° for both pitch and roll in 12 rpm mode, and +/-23.5° for both pitch and roll in 6 rpm mode. The output stage of the transmitter in all variants uses a two-cavity klystron amplifier.

The AN/SPS-49 is part of the combat systems of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate. Combat systems of the FFG-7 class.png
The AN/SPS-49 is part of the combat systems of the Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate.

In 1998, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense reported that SPS-40 and SPS-49 radars in Bahrain were "unusable because the equipment operates on a frequency that interferes with the Bahrain telecommunications services". [2]

On board ships

Flag of the United States.svg United States

Flag of the Republic of China.svg Republic of China

Flag of Italy.svg Italy

Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia

Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada

Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand

Antenna of an AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ radar system on a Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigate. The AS-177B/UPX antenna fitted to the rear of the reflector functions as a back-fill radiator for the AS-4328/U IFF interrogator antenna. SPS-49(V)8 ANZ.jpg
Antenna of an AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ radar system on a Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigate. The AS-177B/UPX antenna fitted to the rear of the reflector functions as a back-fill radiator for the AS-4328/U IFF interrogator antenna.

Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea

Variants

As of 2014, there are eleven configurations of the AN/SPS-49(V).

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AN/SPS-49 Very Long-Range Air Surveillance Radar". www.globalsecurity.org.
  2. ↑ "Pentagon Equipment Disrupting Phone System". Boca Raton News. Associated Press. October 18, 1998.
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