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This subpage lists American militaryelectronicinstruments/systems along with brief descriptions. This stand-alone list specifically identifies electronic devices which are assigned designations (names) according to the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) beginning with the AN/ prefix. They are grouped below by the first designation letter following this prefix. The list is organized as sorted tables that reflect the purpose, uses and manufacturers of each listed item.
Due to page size considerations, the full list was split into sub-pages. The list on this page only shows designations where the first letter after AN/ is between A and G. For all designations between M and Z, please see List of military electronics of the United States: M–Z.
Sharpshooter pod-mounted laser designation and Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) system included in LANTIRN, (export only system) simplified AN/AAQ-14[43]
49.2lb (22.3kg) Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) 1 to 4 μm passive detection staring focal plane array missile detection/warning, either stand-alone or a component of AN/ALQ-212ATIRCM/CMWS self-protection suite[80]
AN/AES – Airborne Laser Detection/Range and Bearing Search Systems
Designation
Purpose/Description
Location/Used By
Manufacturer
AN/AES-1
805lb (365kg) Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) pod using LIDAR technology in littoral waters to detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored mines, capable of generating topographic view of the ocean floor, paired with AN/ASQ-235
Pod-mounted dipolechaff dispenser laying corridors of chaff effectively jamming signals from 2–6GHz (15.0–5.0cm) and 10–18GHz (3.0–1.7cm) up to 80nmi (92mi; 150km) long[134][139]
External pod or internally-mounted high-capacity chaff cutter and dispenser which cuts fiberglass roving material for each dipole to a selectable length[145][134]
Fiber-optic radar jamming and deception towed decoy, part of Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures (IDECM) operating from 1–35GHz (29.98–0.86cm) working with AN/ALQ-214[152]
653lb (296kg) Power Management System (PMS) radar jammer with 360º coverage and manual/automatic control of other jamming transmitters covering a 1–8GHz (29.98–3.75cm) frequency range (D/E/F/G/H-bands)[215]
1,631lb (740kg) internally mounted electronic countermeasure system operating from 0.1–18GHz (299.79–1.67cm), possibly being extended to 40GHz (7.5mm)[231]
316lb (143kg) internally mounted Rapid Alert Programmed Power management of Radar Targets III (RAPPORT III) integrated radar warning receiver and electronic countermeasure suite operating from 0.5–20GHz (59.96–1.50cm),[234] forerunner of AN/ALQ-202
Airborne Radio Direction Finder (ARDF) sensor operating in the 20–60GHz (1.50–0.50cm)[159] range using Phase Angle Discrimination (PAD) for relative bearing, replaced AN/ARD-18[264][265]
160lb (73kg) multi-mode all-digital X-band coherent pulse-Doppler radar for air-to-air, air-to-ground, sea-search and mapping with an air-to-air range of 40nmi (46mi; 74km)[334]
25.45lb (11.54kg) Long Range Navigation (LORAN) radar navigation receiver operating between 1.6–3.3MHz (187–91m) or 7.58–11.75MHz (39.6–25.5m),[349][356] used with AN/CPN-11 and AN/CPN-12
33lb (15kg) 1 wattFMradar altimeter operating between 4.2–4.4GHz (7.14–6.81cm) up to an altitude of 10,000ft (3,000m) over land and 20,000ft (6,100m) over water
185lb (84kg) 70 kWX-bandsolid state navigation, search and weather radar operating from 9.335–9.415GHz (3.21–3.18cm) with a range of 240nmi (280mi; 440km), replaced AN/APS-38,[360] replaced by AN/APN-242
11.68lb (5.30kg)radar beacon receiving in S-band between 2.7–2.9GHz (11.10–10.34cm) and transmitting in L-band at 968MHz (0.310m) with a range of 20mi (32km)
275.24lb (124.85kg)pulse-Doppler drift angle and velocity sensor operating from 8.7–8.9GHz (3.45–3.37cm) up to 430mi (700km) and 70,000ft (21,000m), part of AN/ASB-4 or AN/ASQ-38 bombing-navigation systems
35 wattnavigation radar drift angle and velocity sensor operating at 8.7–8.9GHz (3.45–3.37cm) up to 70,000ft (21,000m) and speeds up to 2,000kn (3,700km/h; 2,300mph), uses AN/ASN-7 transistorized computer
96lb (44kg) 10 wattX-bandpulse-Doppler drift angle and velocity sensor operating between 8.77–8.83GHz (3.42–3.40cm) at up to 70,000ft (21,000m) and speeds up to 939kn (1,739km/h; 1,081mph), smaller version of AN/APN-81[371]
82.1lb (37.2kg) 1.5 wattDopplernavigation/velocity sensor operating at 13.3GHz (2.25cm) measuring speeds up to 1,800kn (3,300km/h; 2,100mph) and altitude up to 70,000ft (21,000m)
25 wattstation-keeping radar with wideband network capability controlling up to 100 aircraft to a 10-second 4,000ft (1,200m) separation at a range of up to 100nmi (120mi; 190km), interfaces with AN/APN-241 and AN/TPN-27 zone marker, upgraded AN/APN-169
Dual frequency X/K-band long range terrain-followingnavigation radar with a range of 240nmi (280mi; 440km) operating from 8–10GHz (3.75–3.00cm) for long range and 20–40GHz (1.50–0.75cm) short range,[419] replaced by AN/APQ-175
Airborne early warning and controlUHF-band radar operating at 400–450MHz (75–67cm) with a range of 200nmi (230mi; 370km) and up to 30,000ft (9,100m) altitude with a 26ft (8m) diameter saucer shaped radome, replaced by AN/APS-120
1 MW long range UHF air and surface search radar operating from 406–450MHz (0.74–0.67m) with a range of 200nmi (230mi; 370km), replaced AN/APS-96,[462] replaced by AN/APS-125
1 MW long range UHF air and search pulse-Doppler radar operating from 406–450MHz (0.74–0.67m) with a range of 250nmi (290mi; 460km), replaced AN/APS-120,[462] forerunner of AN/APS-138
120lb (54kg) 65 kWX-band multimode digital color weather/terrain-mapping/beaconnavigation radar operating from 9.37–9.38GHz (3.20–3.20cm) and 9.35–9.315GHz (3.21–3.22cm) beacon with a range of 300nmi (350mi; 560km), replaced by AN/APS-150
1 MW long range UHF air and search pulse-Doppler radar operating from 406–450MHz (0.74–0.67m), replaced AN/APS-125,[462] extending range to 300nmi (350mi; 560km), forerunner of AN/APS-139
High power 1 MWUHFDoppler airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C) radar with a 1,700lb (770kg) Total Radiation Aperture Control-Antenna (TRAC-A) operating from 400–450MHz (0.75–0.67m) with a range greater that 350nmi (400mi; 650km),[482] upgrade of AN/APS-138, replaced by AN/APY-9[483]
42.5lb (19.3kg) 2.4 kW Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) Combined Interrogator/Transponder (CIT) system using IFF Mark XII with Mode S interrogating at 1.03GHz (29.11cm) and transponding at 1.09GHz (27.50cm) with a range of 100nmi (120mi; 190km), modified AN/APX-111[494]
600lb (270kg) active/passive shallow water advanced dipping Airborne Low FrequencySonar (ALFS), also known as Folding Light Acoustic System for Helicopters (FLASH),[520] with a range of 8.0nmi (14.8km)[521][522]
203.2lb (92.2kg) high power long range AMHF voice/tone/telegraph transceiver transmitting from 200–500kHz (1,498.96–599.58m) and 2–18MHz (149.90–16.66m) at 90 watts on 11 preset channels simultaneously receiving from 200–500kHz (1,498.96–599.58m) or 1.5–18MHz (199.86–16.66m), consisted of AN/ARR-11 and AN/ART-13[530]
65 watt high power long range AMHF voice/tone/CWtransceiver weighing more than 475.5lb (215.7kg) receiving between 1.5–18.5MHz (199.86–16.20m) and transmitting from 2–18MHz (149.90–16.66m) both on 10 preset channels, consisted of AN/ARR-15 and AN/ART-13, replaced by AN/ARC-38[530]
9 wattUHFAM radio transceiver weighing 71lb (32kg) operating between 225–400MHz (1.33–0.75m) over 1,750 channels,[535] the first UHF radio designed for use in aircraft[540]
8 watt39lb (18kg)FM radio transceiver operating between 24–51.9MHz (12.49–5.78m) over 280 channels for about 50mi (80km),[536] replaced by AN/ARC-54[542]
50 wattSAC Airborne Communications System UHFFM relay radio with 12 full duplex voice channels operating from 225–399.95MHz (133.24–74.96cm),[550] used with AN/ACC-1 and AN/ACC-2, replaced by AN/ARC-171
13lb (5.9kg) 10 wattVHFAM/FM two-way radio system transmitting on AM from 116–151.975MHz (2.58–1.97m) and receiving on AM 108–115.975MHz (2.78–2.58m) as well as transmit/receive on FM 30–87.975MHz (9.99–3.41m) over 20 preset channels,[557] replaced by AN/ARC-222
77.5lb (35.2kg) 400 watt software operated long distance HFSingle-sideband (SSB) Amplitude Modulated Equivalent (AME)/CW radio system operating from 2–30MHz (149.90–9.99m) up to 70,000ft (21,000m) altitude
11lb (5.0kg)glide path receiver and visual indication landing guidance system operating at 332.6MHz (90.14cm) or 333.8MHz (89.81cm) or 335MHz (89.49cm)CW with a 15mi (24km) range,[569] used with AN/CRN-2
AN/ARN-6
55lb (25kg) automatic radio compass operating between 100–1,750kHz (2,998–171m) over 4 frequency bands in compass mode and 2.8–5.9MHz (10,706.87–5,081.23cm) for emergency communications (not compass) mode using CW or MCW modulation[569]
60lb (27kg)radio compass and general radio receiver operating from 200–400kHz (1,498.96–749.48m) or 0.55–1.2MHz (545.08–249.83m) in compass mode or 200–400kHz (1,498.96–749.48m), 0.5–1.2MHz (599.58–249.83m) or 2.9–6MHz (103.38–49.97m) communications receiver mode over a range of 150mi (240km)[569]
AN/ARN-12
Lightweight 25lb (11kg)marker beaconMCWreceiver operating at 75MHz (4.00m) giving aural and visual indications up to altitudes of 35,000ft (11,000m)[569]
VHF radio navigation system receiving VOR/ILS signals operating from 108–122MHz (2.78–2.46m) and 328.6–335.4MHz (0.91–0.89m) integrating data to flight control systems
44.3lb (20.1kg) general purpose airborne AMHF radio receiving voice/CW/MCW signals between 1.5–18.5MHz (199.86–16.20m) on 10 preset channels, part of AN/ARC-25[530]
55.4lb (25.1kg) Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System (CAINS)[96] senses and measures rotation about each of the aircraft's axes, and horizontal, lateral and vertical accelerations, replaced by AN/ASN-130
Digital data computer anti-submarine warfare sensor data processor along with communications, navigation, and tactical armament status sources, forerunner of AN/ASQ-212
Digital data computer anti-submarine warfare sensor data processor along with communications, navigation, and tactical armament status sources, upgraded AN/ASQ-114 with a Motorola 68030 microprocessor providing a processing speed increase of 30x
90lb (41kg) Smart Targeting and Identification via Networked Geolocation (STING) AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) targeting pod operating from 0.5–20GHz (59.96–1.50cm) providing autonomous detection, identification, and location of radar-guided threats at long ranges
Archerfish expendable Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS)[e] with up to four destructors to acquire, identify, and defeat (neutralize) naval un-buried bottom and moored sea mines,[611] paired with AN/AES-1,[121] part of Mine Countermeasures Mission Package[612]
AN/AXT – Airborne Facsimile/Television Transmitter Systems
Designation
Purpose/Description
Location/Used By
Manufacturer
AN/AXT-2
15 watt110lb (50kg) aircraft observation/telemetry television UHFtransmitter operating between 264–372MHz (1.14–0.81m) in 10 channels with a range of about 30mi (48km)[629][630]
AN/BPS – Submarine Radar Detection/Range and Bearing Search Systems
Designation
Purpose/Description
Submarine Class
Manufacturer
AN/BPS-15
1,772lb (804kg) low power 35 kWX-band Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) navigation and surface search radar operating from 8.795–8.855GHz (3.41–3.39cm)[648]
2,890.4lb (1,311.1kg) low power 35 kWX-band Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) navigation and surface search radar operating from 8.795–8.855GHz (3.41–3.39cm), improved AN/BPS-15,[651] includes the Voyage Management System (VMS) with Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS-N)[652]
Submarine-launched expendable hydrographic Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) bathythermograph to measure/record water temperature for acoustic propagation analysis,[654][f] replaced AN/SSQ-61
Surface ship-launched expendable hydrographic Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) bathythermograph to measure/record water temperature for acoustic propagation analysis[654]
AN/BQQ – Submarine Sonar Special/Combination Systems
Transportable S-band radar beacon[670][671] operating at 3.256GHz (9.21cm) with a range of about 150mi (240km)[669]
Ship- or land-based
AN/CPN-4
Transportable combined search and precision approach radar (PAR). Search mode transmits with 600 kW power at 2.78–2.82GHz (10.78–10.63cm) with a range of about 36nmi (41mi; 67km) reaching 10,000ft (3,000m) while PAR mode operates between 9–9.16GHz (3.33–3.27cm) out to about 8mi (13km)[669]
Transportable master/slave Long Range Navigation (LORAN) beacon in combination with AN/CPN-12, used with aircraft systems AN/APN-4 or AN/APN-9[672][669]
AN/CPN-12
Transportable master/slave Long Range Navigation (LORAN) beacon in combination with AN/CPN-11, used with aircraft systems AN/APN-4 or AN/APN-9[672][669]
Beaver Tail (or Big Weapon or Big Beaver) transportable S-band medium-range height-finding radar operating from 2.7–2.9GHz (11.10–10.34cm) at a distance of up to 90mi (140km)[669]
Transportable medium weight 750 kWGround-Controlled Interception (GCI) and early warning radar operating at 1.3GHz (23.06cm) to more than 70mi (110km) (often as much as 210mi (340km)) and up to 40,000ft (12,000m) altitude[669]
Lefox PurpleCold War-era fixed site communications intercept (COMINT) computer improving VHF/UHF voice intercept rocessing throughput time for collection, transcription and reporting capabilities, application of the Lefox Grey program.[698]
200 kWS-band short range airport surveillance radar operating between 2.869–2.9GHz (10.45–10.34cm) with a range of 35mi (30nmi; 56km)[703] up to 5,000ft (1,500m)
25 kWS-band Digital Airport Surveillance Radar (DASR) (also called ASR-11 in civilian use) operating between 2.7–2.9GHz (11–10cm) out to a ranges of 69mi (60nmi; 111km) on the primary antenna and 140mi (120nmi; 230km) secondary, replaced AN/GPN-12, AN/GPN-20 and AN/GPN-27[709]
100 watt maximum half-wave dipole75ft 3in (22.94m) antenna group weighing 11.75lb (5.33kg) for both transmission and reception of RF signals between 1.5–20MHz (200–15m), used with AN/GRC-19[713]
Vehicle mounted 60 words per minute (45.5 Baud) half duplexradioteletype (or Radio Automatic Teletypewriter - RATT) set weighing 1,200lb (540kg) transmitting between 1.5–20MHz (199.86–14.99m) at 100 watts and receiving between 0.5–32MHz (599.58–9.37m), replaced by AN/GRC-142[719]
Lightweight long range solid-stateFMUHF tactical line-of-sight radio relay operating between 220–1,850MHz (1.36–0.16m) over 5 frequency bands with a range of up to 120mi (190km)[720]
Region Operations Control Center/Airborne Warning And Control Systems (ROCC/AWACS) Digital Information Link (RADIL), co-located with AN/FYQ-93,[744][700] uses AN/USQ-76
VHF Unattended Ground Sensor Set (UGSS) suite of sensors detecting vehicle and personnel movement, referred to as Tactical Remote Sensor System (TRSS) Phase V, operating from 138–153MHz (2.17–1.96m).
↑As reported by Asia Military Review in January 2025,[251] the frequency range of the latest ALQ-231 Block-X version may reach up to 40GHz (7.5mm)
↑The B-52J Radar Modernization Program (RMP) upgrade is still in development, expected in service by 2033,[441][442] so the APQ-188 is planned for the B-52J
↑Only ten units of the AN/AQS-20 were purchased before the system was canceled by the US Navy in 2016
↑In a single reliable reference source used for this entry,[610] instead of listing the Archerfish AMNS system as AN/ASQ-235, it shows numerous times within the document as AN/AQS-235. But on page 36, section 3, the title refers to the AN/AQS-235 and the next sentence calls it AN/ASQ-235. Considering how many other references (including the Navy factsheet) call it AN/ASQ-235, that is what was used in this Wikipedia list.
↑AN/BQH-7A was a surface ship version of the same bathythermograph
↑Before AN/CRC designated Cryptographic Radios, the first "C" meant "Air Transportable" (ie. Cargo)
↑Schweizer, Felix (4 March 1982). "Calibration Support of the AN/AAM-60 Common Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) Test Bench". In Kaplan, Herbert; Zweibaum, Frederic M. (eds.). Contemporary Infrared Standards and Calibration. 25th Annual Technical Symposium. Vol.0308. San Diego, California: SPIE. doi:10.1117/12.932787.
↑Rolfe, Robert M; Brown, Herbert R (January 1994). Supporting Data(PDF). Investment Strategy for DoD Automatic Test Systems (Report). Vol.2. pp.B-25, B-33. DTICADA278527. (369 pages)
↑Fischer, Robert E; Kampe, Thomas U (1992). "Actively controlled 5:1 afocal zoom attachment for common module FLIR". In Aikens, David M; Genberg, Victor L; Krumweide, Gary C; Thomas, Michael J (eds.). Design of Optical Instruments. Vol.1690. pp.137–152. doi:10.1117/12.137989.
↑Thailand Royal Air Force Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Weapon Systems. Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications. 7 February 2007. p.103. ISBN978-1-4330-4913-2.
↑Lingsch, S C; Lingsch, W C (16 September 1999). Using a minehunting sonar for real-time environmental characterization. Oceans '99. MTS/IEEE. Riding the Crest into the 21st Century. Conference and Exhibition. Conference Proceedings (IEEE Cat. No.99CH37008). Vol.3. Seattle, Washington: IEEE. pp.1181–1187. doi:10.1109/OCEANS.1999.800159. ISBN0-7803-5628-4.
↑"AN/AQS-14". Military Periscope.com. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
↑Wexler, R S (24 October 1996). Tactical satellite communications (TACSATCOM) terminal single versus multicarrier operation investigation. Proceedings of MILCOM '96 IEEE Military Communications Conference. Vol.2. McLean, Virginia. pp.347–351. doi:10.1109/MILCOM.1996.568560. ISBN0-7803-3682-8.
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