Hazeltine AN/FPS-5 Radar

Summary

The AN/FPS-5 was a nodding height-finding radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command. It was unique in that it used a fixed reflector and a moving feed in order to steer the beam. It was produced in the early 1950s by Hazeltine, and deployment was limited. It was normally used with the AN/FPS-3 search radar.

AN/FPS-5
Country of originUnited States
TypeLong range search radar

The Japanese J/FPS-5 [ja] radar is a modern 3-dimensional AESA (Active Electronical Scanned Array) radar. Though both have a similar designation, there is no relationship between the systems.

Classification of radar systems edit

Under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), all U.S. military radar and tracking systems are assigned a unique identifying alphanumeric designation. The letters “AN” (for Army-Navy) are placed ahead of a three-letter code.[1]

  • The first letter of the three-letter code denotes the type of platform hosting the electronic device, where A=Aircraft, F=Fixed (land-based), S=Ship-mounted, and T=Ground transportable.
  • The second letter indicates the type of equipment, where P=Radar (pulsed), Q=Sonar, and R=Radio.
  • The third letter indicates the function or purpose of the device, where G=Fire control, R=Receiving, S=Search, and T=Transmitting.

Thus, the AN/FPS-5 represents the 5th design of an Army-Navy “Fixed, Radar, Search” electronic device.[2][1]

References edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ a b Avionics Department (2013). "Missile and Electronic Equipment Designations". Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems Engineering Handbook (PDF) (4 ed.). Point Mugu, California: Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. p. 2-8.1.
  2. ^ Winkler, David F. (1997). "Radar Systems Classification Methods". Searching the Skies: The Legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program (PDF). Langley AFB, Virginia: United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command. p. 73. LCCN 97020912.
  • AN/FPS-5 @ radomes.org

External links edit