AN/TPN-18
Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics
Figure 1: AN/TPN-18A GCA radar system (1991)
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| frequency: | 9.0 … 9.6 GHz
( X-Band) |
| pulse repetition time (PRT): | |
| pulse repetition frequency (PRF): | 1 200 Hz |
| pulsewidth (τ): | 0.2 or 0.8 µs |
| receive time: | |
| dead time: | |
| peak power: | 200 kW |
| average power: | |
| instrumented range: | 40 NM (≙ 74 km) |
| range resolution: | |
| accuracy: | ± 1% |
| Azimuth beam: | 1.3º (horizontal); 3.5º (vertical) |
| Elevation beam: | 1.1º (vertical); 3.4º (horizontal) |
| hits per scan: | |
| antenna rotation: | 16 rpm |
| MTBCF: | |
| MTTR: | |
AN/TPN-18
The Radar Set AN/TPN-18 is an X-Band lightweight, helicoptertransportable aircraft traffic control and landing approach radar set which provides precise three-function information to airport/heliport controllers. These functions consist of terminal area surveillance, precision approach for control of landings, and heightfinding for aircraft monitoring.
AN/TPN-18 is a component of landing control central AN/TSQ-71 and AN/TSQ-72. It is designed for use during all weather conditions at forward airstrips and heliports.
AN/TPN-8
The predesessor of the AN/TPN-18 was the AN/TPN-8. The antenna group looked exactly the same – the radar electronic differed. The AN/TPN-8 was also used as a developmental base for the AN/SPN-35 later used on aircraft carriers. Radar sets AN/TPN-8 were still in use by the mid-70s. Later they had all been upgraded to AN/TPN-18.