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AN/TPN-18

Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics

Figure 1: AN/TPN-18A GCA radar system (1991)

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.

Picture gallery of AN/TPN-18

Figure 2: AN/TPN-18 in the Army Aviation Museum in Fort Rucker (Alabama)
© 2015 Robert Schoneman