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AN/TPS-75

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An AN/TPS-75 radar antenna packed on a 5-ton truck.

The AN/TPS-75 is a transportable 3-dimensional air search radar produced in the United States. It was originally designated the TPS-43E2. Although the antenna is a radically new design from the TPS-43, the radar van itself, which houses the transmitter, reveiver processors, and displays is very similar to the TPS-75.

The AN/TPS-75 is the primary transportable Aerospace Control And Warning (AC&W) radar used by the United States Air Force. The TPS-75 is capable of transmitting 5-Megawatts of power. (Although 5-Megawatts is almost never achieved; realistically it is approx 2.8 Megawatts)

The entire system can be broken down and packed onto two M939 trucks for road transport and mobile air transport by planes such as the C-130 Hercules or bigger. The entire radar system can be "torn down" and ready for transport in just a few hours. This varies greatly with amount of personnel, their level of training and motivation, and methodology of transport. A typical convoy package would consist of one 5-ton truck pulling the radar van itself and a support 5-ton pulling the Environmental Control Pallet (ECU). The support truck would hold some spare parts, camouflage netting, and other logistical items as needed. Technically, the items on the ECU pallet such as the heat exchanger and -18 air conditioner units can be loaded into and transported within the radar van. However this is not practiced much due to the increased difficulty and time during-set up and tear-down.

Seting up the AN/TPS-75 is virtually the physical opposite of tear-down with the exceptions of five major processes. If a problem arises during the set-up, especially during these 5 major steps, the time to completion can be lengthened drastically. 

1. The antenna must be anchored utilizing 8 anchor heads over four corner points.
2. The Antenna must be leveled to earth's gravity utilizing x-y bubble levels.
3. The system must be properly grounded and power logistics solved.
4. The system must be aligned to magnetic north (true north can be electronically adjusted in the unit's processors)
5. The system must be powered up, and function checks completed.

There are many add-ons for the TPS-75. One of which allows the AN/TPS-75 to be tilted back to see into the atmosphere assisting in detection of long range ballistic missiles.

Specifications

  • Frequency Range 2.9 - 3.1 GHz (S-Band)
  • Peak Power 2.8MW nominal
  • Pulse Width 6.8μs
  • Range 240nmi

See also

External links


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