AN/TPS-43
The AN/TPS-43 is a transportable air search 3D radar produced in the United States originally by Westinghouse Electric Corporation's Defense and Electronic Division, which was later purchased by Northrop Grumman. It is used primarily for early warning and tactical control, often for control over an associated surface-to-air missile battery or airfield. It is designed to be transported in two M35 cargo trucks and easily air-transportable on two pallets.
The TPS-43 uses multiple feed horns and an organ-pipe scanner to rapidly scan its pencil beam vertically while the entire antenna system rotates to scan in azimuth. By comparing the relative power of a return in one or more of the vertical feed horns, the target altitude can be determined. Since its introduction in 1966 it has undergone many modifications. In later versions, the organ-pipe was replaced by a stripline matrix to produce beamforming that had the same output pattern but had no moving parts. Many more upgrades were made to the transmitter and receiver as solid state electronics were able to handle increased power loads.
Among its notable uses were two examples used by the Argentine Air Force that were moved to the Falkland Islands during the 1982 Falklands War. The example at Port Stanley Airport survived two attacks by AGM-45 Shrike missiles before being captured by British forces. It was repaired, upgraded, and then used by the Royal Air Force for many years.
Description
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In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/TPS-43" designation represents the 43rd design of an Army-Navy electronic device for ground transportable search radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
The AN/TPS-43 is a ground-based, non-fixed (i.e.: transportable) search radar.[1] The entire system can be broken down and packed into two M35 trucks for road transport.
An updated version replacing the original shaped reflector and organ-pipe scanner with a phased array antenna was originally known as the TPS-43E2, but emerged as a much more modern system and was renamed the AN/TPS-75. TPS-75 is the current transportable air control and warning (AC&W) radar used by the United States Air Force.[citation needed]
Variants
In addition to the basic TPS-43 several variants were developed.[2]
- TPS-43A (antenna tilt; new IFF)
- TPS-43B (enlarged shelter; changes to transmitter)
- TPS-43C / 43CX (increased reliability; IFF improvements)
- TPS-43D / 43DX (ISLS added; maximum detection range increased)
- TPS-43E (major redesign; improvements to electronics, mechanics and shelter)
- TPS-43F / subvariants V1 to V6 (major redesign; enlarged shelter, improved electronics; increased reliability)
- TPS-43G (4 megawatt export version designed for Pakistan)[3]
- TPS-43M (improved electronics; increased dynamic range; improved IFF incorporating several modules in a single unit)
- TPS-430
Operational history
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The AN/TPS-43 completed development in 1963 and entered US service in 1968.[citation needed]
This radar was deployed by the Argentine Air Force during the 1982 Falklands War to Stanley and survived two British attacks with AGM-45 Shrike anti radar missiles on May 31 and June 3.[4] One of the radars was captured by British forces after the Argentine surrender and deployed at RAF Buchan.[5] Another set installed at Rio Grande, in the mainland, was used to guide Argentine attacks on the British fleet.[6]
Users
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- Argentine Air Force - In the early 1980s six sets were purchased, one was lost in the Falklands War.[7]
- Bangladesh Air Force - 4 (Status Uncertain)
- Spanish Air and Space Force[8]
Specifications
- Weight (including shelter): < 3,400 kg (7,500 lb)
- Frequency range: 2.9 to 3.1 GHz (S-Band)
- Pulse repetition frequency: Fixed: 250 Hz, Staggered: Six PRF's around 250 Hz
- Pulse width: 6.5 microseconds
- Peak power: 4.0 MW
- Average power: 6.7 KW
- Beam width (horizontal): 1.1 degrees
- Beam width (vertical): 1.5 to 8.1 degrees; total 20 degree coverage; six stacked beams
- Antenna rotation rate: 6 rpm
- Maximum range 240 NM
- Maximum display range: 450 km
- Types of cooling : 4 types of cooling use (Air, Gas, Oil and Water)[9]
- Antenna characteristics: Reflector aperture 14 ft (4.27 m) high by 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m) wide
See also
References
- ^ "Radar Types". MobileRadar.org. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
- ^ "Radar Descriptions". MobileRadar.org. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "Pakistan Air Defence Ground Environment System". PAKDEF.org. Archived from the original on 2017-05-24. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- ^ McLelland, Tim (January 5, 2012). Vulcan: God of Fire. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire: The History Press. ISBN 9780752476957.
- ^ "Buchan Rotor Radar Station". Subterranea Britannica.org.uk.
- ^ Southby-Tailyour, Ewen (June 19, 2014). Exocet Falklands: The Untold Story of Special Forces Operations. South Yorkshire, England: Pen and Sword Military. p. 82. ISBN 978-1783463879.
- ^ Osacar, Ignacio J (June 5, 2007). "Medio siglo de gastos para la Defensa y la Seguridad en Argentina (1976-2006)- 2da. Parte". Centro de Estudios Nueva Mayoría. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-01-02.
- ^ "El radar AN/TPS-43M del Grupo Móvil de Control Aéreo alcanza las 1.000 horas de operatividad en Zona de Operaciones". Estado Mayor De La Defensa. December 9, 2022. Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
- ^ "Radar Basics - AN/TPS-43". RadarTutorial.eu. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2006-08-04.
External links
- "Armamento - Material Terrestre - Sistema de Radares Westinghouse AN-TPS43 y W-430". Fuerza Aérea Argentina (sitio oficial) (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.