AN/SPS-43
Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics
Figure 1: AN/SPS-43
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| frequency: | 200 MHz ( VHF-Band) |
| pulse repetition time (PRT): | |
| pulse repetition frequency (PRF): | |
| pulsewidth (τ): | |
| receive time: | |
| dead time: | |
| peak power: | 180 kW |
| average power: | |
| instrumented range: | 300 NM (≙ 555 km) |
| range resolution: | |
| accuracy: | |
| beamwidth: | 7° |
| hits per scan: | |
| antenna rotation: | |
| MTBCF: | |
| MTTR: | |
AN/SPS-43
The AN/SPS-43 (aka “Bedspring Radar” or “Giant Bedspring”) was a ship-based, 2-dimensional, air-search radar operating in VHF- and used for guided-missile cruisers and aircraft carriers. It uses a co-linear broadside antenna with 20 dipoles that looked like a bedspring.
It is a direct successor to AN/SPS-37 entered service in mid-1961. It used an antenna nearly identical to the earlier radar. The main difference is a greatly improved ECCM performance, the AN/SPS-43 jumps between 20 different frequencies to frustrate jamming attempts. A total of 49 of these radars were delivered during the 1960s. After several years of service with the US Navy, it was replaced by AN/SPS-49.