The AN/FPS-4 Radar was a Height-Finder Radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command.
 RCA AN/FPS-4 Radar | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Zenith, RCA |
| Introduced | 1948 |
| No. built | 450 |
| Type | Height-Finder Radar |
| Frequency | X-band (9–9.160 GHz) |
| Range | 60 mi (97 km) |
| Altitude | 60,000 ft (18,000 m) |
| Power | 250 KW |
| Other Names | AN/TPS-10, AN/MPS-8 (Mobile) |
MIT's Radiation Laboratory developed and produced the first version of this radar near the end of World War II. Zenith produced the A-model sets in the post-war period. The vertically mounted antenna was three feet wide and ten feet long. Two operators were needed to run the set. The initial model operated at a frequency of 9000 to 9160 MHz and had a maximum reliable range for bombers of 60 miles at 10,000 feet.
An updated version designated the AN/FPS-4 was produced by the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) beginning in 1948. Some 450 copies of this and the trailer-mounted AN/MPS-8 version were built between 1948 and 1955.
Technical Specs: (Radio Research catalog) X BAND HEIGHT FINDER Radar type: AN/TPS-10D. Freq band: 9230 to 9404 mc. Pwr output and range: 250KW, 60/120 mi. Indicator: RHI. Magnetron type: 6002/QK221. Rep rate: .5 & 2 microsec 539 pps. Pwr input: 115 V 400 cy AC. Mfr: RCA.
RHI 12" CRT Range 0-60,000 ft. 200 miles. Input: 115 V 400 cy AC. Mfr: RCA type AN/TPS-10D Radar
Classification of radar systems
editUnder 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-4 represents the 4th 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
- ^ 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. pp. 2–8.1.
- ^ 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.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
See Also
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