AN/FPS-5 Radar

AN/FPS-5
Country of origin	United States
Type	Long range search radar

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.

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

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

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. p. 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.