This medium-range search radar was designed and built by Bendix as a SAGE system gap-filler radar to provide low-altitude coverage. Operating in the S-band at a frequency between 2700 and 2900 MHz, the AN/FPS-18 could detect at a range of 65 miles.
The system was deployed in the late 1950s and 1960s at unmanned radar facilities (called "Gap Fillers") designed to fill the low-altitude gaps between manned long-range radar stations. Gaps in coverage existed due to the curvature of the Earth, mountains, hills, valleys, rivers, and so forth.
The typical unmanned gap-filler radar annex consisted of a small L-shaped cinder-block building, with the radar equipment and the data-transmission equipment in one section and one or more diesel generators in the other section. These unmanned gap-filler sites generally had a three-legged radar tower about 85 feet tall where the AN/FPS-18 Radar was mounted inside a radome.
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.[2]
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-18 represents the 18th design of an Army-Navy “Fixed, Radar, Search” electronic device.[2][3]
Referencesedit
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
^Bendix radio radar history bendixradiofoundation.com [dead link]
^ abAvionics 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.
January 01, 1970
bendix, radar, medium, range, search, radar, used, united, states, force, defense, command, this, medium, range, search, radar, designed, built, bendix, sage, system, filler, radar, provide, altitude, coverage, operating, band, frequency, between, 2700, 2900, . The AN FPS 18 was a medium range search radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command 1 This medium range search radar was designed and built by Bendix as a SAGE system gap filler radar to provide low altitude coverage Operating in the S band at a frequency between 2700 and 2900 MHz the AN FPS 18 could detect at a range of 65 miles The system was deployed in the late 1950s and 1960s at unmanned radar facilities called Gap Fillers designed to fill the low altitude gaps between manned long range radar stations Gaps in coverage existed due to the curvature of the Earth mountains hills valleys rivers and so forth The typical unmanned gap filler radar annex consisted of a small L shaped cinder block building with the radar equipment and the data transmission equipment in one section and one or more diesel generators in the other section These unmanned gap filler sites generally had a three legged radar tower about 85 feet tall where the AN FPS 18 Radar was mounted inside a radome Classification of radar systems editFurther information Joint Electronics Type Designation System 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 2 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 18 represents the 18th design of an Army Navy Fixed Radar Search electronic device 2 3 References edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Bendix radio radar history bendixradiofoundation com dead link 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 AN FPS 18 radomes org Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Bendix AN FPS 18 Radar amp oldid 1221242496, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
