AN/APS-4

The AN/APS-4, originally known as ASH (air-surface, model H) is an early military air to air and air to surface radar used by American and British warplanes during World War II.

AN/APS-4
Country of originUK
Introduced1943 (1943)
TypeSea-surface search
Frequency3300 ±50 MHz (S-band)
PRF660 pps
Beamwidth~10º horizontal,
~15º vertical
Pulsewidth1 μs
RPM60 rpm
Range1 to 100 mi (1.6–160.9 km)
Diameter28 in (0.71 m)
Azimuth320º
Precision~5º
Power40 kW
Other NamesASH
RelatedAN/APS-5, AN/APS-6
An-APS-4 side view

APS-4 operated in the X band at 3 cm, compared to the10 cm S band used by most radars of the era. This allowed the antenna to be greatly reduced in size and the unit as a whole to fit into a single streamlined fairing that could be mounted to many aircraft.

In American service it was used on many aircraft, including the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, North American P-82D/F/H Twin Mustang, Vought F4U-2\5N Corsair, Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat, Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver and Grumman TBF-3 and TBM-3S Avenger.

In RAF service it was known as ASV Mark IX and equipped a number of aircraft including the Fairey Firefly, Fairey Barracuda, de Havilland Mosquito and a small number of Grumman Avengers.

Design

APS-4 radar is a lightweight air to air and air to surface radar with a detection range for large ships of about 15 miles (24 km), and about 5 miles (8.0 km) against aircraft. It could also detect coastline at approximately 75 miles (121 km).[1]

Physically, the APS-4 consists of a control box, one or two indicators, the same number of indicator-amplifiers, an antenna, a transmitter-receiver, and a cable junction box.[2] The antenna and transmitter-receiver were typically housed externally below one wing, in a fiberglass shape that was similar to a Mk 17 500 pound bomb.[3] These displays could be set for ranges of 4, 20, 50, and 100 nautical miles (6, 30, 80, and 160 km).[4] The radar weighed 180 pounds (82 kg).[4]

The APS-4 broadcast in the X-band with a wavelength of 3 cm.[4][2] Peak broadcast power varied from 40 to 70 kW according to radar version. Pulse repetition frequency was adjustable by the operator to either 600 or 1000 pulses per second. [5]

The APS-4 emitted a radio beam in the form of a 6° cone. The beam could be directed in three modes, manual, search and intercept. In manual mode the beam was aimed by operator control from 10° above, to 30° below the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. In search mode, the radar beam scans through 150° in azimuth, and while doing so would run two lines scans, each separated by 4°. This caused the beam to cover 10° in a vertical plane. In intercept mode, the beam executes a four-line scan, with 6° between lines, to cover a vertical plane of 24°.[3] Results were displayed on one or two 3-inch displays.[2]

An improved version was called the AN/APS-5. A simplified version for single-seat fighters was called the APS-6.[6]

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References
  1. http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/A/s/ASH_airborne_radar.htm>
  2. "HyperWar: Tactical Uses of Radar in Aircraft (RADTWOA) [Part II]". www.ibiblio.org.
  3. https://www.aef.se/Avionik/PDF-filer/PS18_USN_APS-4_Tactical_use.pdf
  4. Budge, Kent G. "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: ASH Airborne Radar". pwencycl.kgbudge.com.
  5. "Duxford Radio Society: Restoration: Radar APS-4". www.duxfordradiosociety.org.
  6. Budge, Kent G. "The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: APS-6 Airborne Radar". pwencycl.kgbudge.com.
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