SK radar
SK was an American-made air-search radar used during World War II by the United States Navy. Models include SK-1, SK-2 and SK-3.[2]
SK-1 aboard USS Long Island | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
| Introduced | 1944 |
| Type | Air-search radar |
| Frequency | VHF band |
| Beamwidth | 10° |
| Pulsewidth | 5 μs |
| Range | 160.9 km (86.9 nmi) |
| Azimuth | ± 3 ° |
| Precision | ± 100 yd (91 m) |
| Power | 250 kW[1] |
Overview
Long wave search set for large ships. Furnishes range and bearing of surface vessels and aircraft, and can be used for control of interception. Set has both "A" and PPI scopes, provisions for operating with remote PPI's and for IFF connections, and built-in BL and BI antennas.[3]
Reliable maximum range, with antenna at 100 ft (30 m), is 100 miles (160 km) on medium bombers at 1,000 ft (300 m) altitude. Range accuracy is ± 100 yards (91 m). Azimuth accuracy, ± 3°. There is no elevation control, but elevation can be estimated roughly from positions of maximum, and minimum signal strength.[3]
Shipment includes spares, with tubes for 400 hours, and separate generator if ship's power is DC. Not air transportable.
SK has 10 components weighing approximately 5,000 lb (2,300 kg). Heaviest unit, at 2,400 lb (1,100 kg), is the antenna assembly. Antenna measures 15 ft (4.6 m) x 16 ft 9 in (5.11 m). Antenna should be 100 ft (30 m) or more above water. Minimum operators required are one per shift. Primary power required is 3500 kilowatts, 115 volts, 60 Hz. Source of power is ship's power of 115 volts, 60 Hz.[3]
During the later stages of the war, a parabolic antenna called SK-2 would then replace the SK-1.[1]
Onboard ships
United States
- Midway-class aircraft carrierSK-2 aboard USS Coral Sea
- Essex-class aircraft carrier
- Independence-class aircraft carrier
- USS Enterprise (CV-6)
- USS Saratoga (CV-3)
- Casablanca-class escort carrier
- Bogue-class escort carrier
- Iowa-class battleshipSK-1 aboard USS Honolulu
- South Dakota-class battleship
- North Carolina-class battleship
- Colorado-class battleship
- Tennessee-class battleship
- USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)
- Nevada-class battleshipSK-1 aboard USS Augusta
- New York-class battleship
- USS Arkansas (BB-33)
- Alaska-class cruiser
- Des Moines-class cruiser
- Oregon City-class cruiser
- Baltimore-class cruiser
- USS Wichita (CA-45)
- Fargo-class cruiser
- Cleveland-class cruiser
- New Orleans-class cruiser
- Brooklyn-class cruiser
- Portland-class cruiser
- Northampton-class cruiser
- Pensacola-class cruiser
- Omaha-class cruiser
- Currituck-class seaplane tender
- Appalachian-class command ship
- Mount McKinley-class command ship
United Kingdom
Gallery
SK-1 aboard HMS Trumpeter
SK-1 aboard USS Texas
SK-1 aboard USS Wichita
SK-2 aboard USS Alabama
SK-2 aboard USS Macon
SK-3 aboard USS Princeton
See also
Citations
- ^ a b "Radar Equipment of World War II". NavWeaps.
- ^ Robert, Buderi (1998). The Invention That Changed the World: How a Small Group of Radar Pioneers Won the Second World War and Launched a Technical Revolution. Touchstone. ISBN 0684835290.
- ^ a b c "US Radar: Operational Characteristics of Radar Classified by Tactical Application". public2.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
References
- Norman Friedman (2006). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-262-9
- Buderi, Robert (1998). The Invention That Changed the World: How a Small Group of Radar Pioneers Won the Second World War and Launched a Technical Revolution. Touchstone. ISBN 0-684-83529-0
- Hezlet, Arthur (1975). Electronics and Sea Power. New York: Stein and Day. ISBN 0-8128-1811-3