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AN/ALQ-153 is an airborne Pulse-doppler tail warning radar for detecting missiles, protecting B-1B Lancer and B-52H Stratofortress aircraft. It replaced the AN/ALQ-127, introducing a solid-state transmitter, frequency-agile waveform and digital processing using non-scanning antennas that have low backlobes. The ALQ-153 was originally manufactured by Westinghouse (now Northrop Grumman).

History

Installed on B-52 aircraft at Barksdale Air Force Base, ten test flights were flown in May and June 1981. During these tests, totaling 39 hours, there were four failures with a mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) rate of 9.75 hours.

Technical Description

Features

Although primarily used for missile defense, the ALQ-153 could accurately warn of aircraft threats as well providing continuous range and time-to-intercept indications on the control indicator. When a missile is detected, an audible tone is transmitted to the electronic warfare officer (EWO) allowing him/her to respond with the proper countermeasures.

Components

The ALQ-153 consists of six line replaceable units (LRUs), with a total size of 2.36 cubic feet weighing 138 pounds. The LRUs include:

• Two antennas
• Radar receiver/transmitter (RT)
• Analog Data Signal Processor (ADSP)
• Digital Data Signal Processor (DDSP)
• Control indicator
• Signal Data Converter

See also

• List of military electronics of the United States
• Joint Electronics Type Designation System – Unclassified designation system for United States military electronic equipment

References

1. ^ "AN/ALQ-153", Military Periscope, retrieved December 26, 2024
2. Pike, John (January 9, 1999), "AN/ALQ-153 Missile Warning System", FAS Military Analysis Network, retrieved December 26, 2024
3. ^ Jenkins, Capt Vincent M. (November 23, 1981), "AN/ALQ-153 Tail Warning System Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation" (PDF), Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC), Headquarters Strategic Air Command, retrieved December 26, 2024
4. ^ Skorupa, LtCol John A. (September 1989), Self-Protective Measures to Enhance Airlift Operations in Hostile Environments (PDF), Air University Press, retrieved December 26, 2024
5. Patterson, Maj Göran (September 1993), An illustrated overview of ESM and ECM systems (PDF), Naval Postgraduate School, retrieved December 26, 2024

External links

• AF.mil - B-52H Stratofortress Fact Sheet

• Electronic warfare equipment
• Military electronics of the United States
• Equipment of the United States Air Force
• Electronic countermeasures
• Electronic warfare
• Military equipment introduced in the 1980s