AN/FPS-117

The AN/FPS-117 is an active electronically scanned array 3-dimensional air search radar first produced by GE Aerospace (now Lockheed Martin) in 1980.[1][2]

AN/FPS-117
An Australian AN/TPS-77 in 2007
Country of originUnited States
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Introduced1980
TypePhased array Long-Range Radar System
Frequency1215 to 1400 MHz (D/L)
PRF241
Pulsewidth51.2 / 409.6 μS
RPM5 - 6 RPMs
Range470 km (250 nmi)
Altitude30.5 km (100,000 ft)
Azimuth0.18° at 250 km
Elevation-6° to +20°
Power24.6 kw
Other NamesSeek Igloo, AN/TPS-77, AN/TPS-59, RRS-177, AMES Type 92

The system is a low power (~20 kW), long range (200-250 nautical miles), L-band pencil beam, search radar with solid-state transmitters. System design includes a redundant architecture with computer software remote controlled and monitored operations to minimize manning requirements. It is typically also equipped with an identification friend or foe system using a second antenna on top.

The AN/FPS-117 is in use as part of the American-Canadian North Warning System of radars stretching across North America from Alaska, USA to Labrador, Canada. This North Warning System is designed to provide long-range detection and coverage for drug interdiction support and tactical command and control.

Implementation of the North Warning System has resulted in a reduction in operations and maintenance (O&M) spending by up to 50% compared to previous systems. Due to extreme northern locations of these radars, the physics of radiowave propagation in the 1215-1400 MHz frequency range is even more critical for target detection requirements.

The Air Force and the FAA also operate a limited number of AN/FPS-117 radars within the continental United States. The AN/FPS-117 radar is capable of randomly hopping among 18 channels in the 1215-1400 MHz band.[3]

Originally selected for the Alaskan Air Command's SEEK IGLOO project, the radar was also picked to replace the United States Air Force's AN/FPS-67 radar at Berlin's Tempelhof Airport and was commissioned at Tempelhof in July 1984.

The AN/TPS-77 is a version of the same radar mounted on a transportable platform. This is currently the main radar used by the Royal Air Force.

The RRP-117 version is a model which is being supplied to Germany with an offset input from Siemens in fixed-site applications.

In 2011, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to upgrade the radars to extend their operational lives through 2025.[4]

Operators

Variants

See also

References
  1. Lockheed Martin. "AN/FPS-117 LONG-RANGE AIR SURVEILLANCE RADARS" (PDF). Retrieved 2019-04-02.
  2. "AN/FPS-117". Radomes. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  3. "AN/FPS Series". alternatewars.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  4. "Lockheed Martin to Modernize 29 U.S. Air Force Early Warning Long-Range Surveillance Radars." Archived November 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Lockheed Martin, 7 November 2011.
  5. "The Baltic Air Surveillance Network - BALTNET". Archived from the original on 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
  6. "Bundeswehr baut auf dem Flughafen Tempelhof (Bundeswehr is building at Tempelhof Airport)". Berliner Morgenpost. September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  7. https://www.malaysiandefence.com/long-range-radars-for-malaysia-and-indonesia/. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. "AN/FPS-117 Long Range Radar Upgrade". ASD News. December 26, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  9. "Taiwan To Receive Early-Warning Radars From US: Jane's". www.spacedaily.com. Space Daily. AFP. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  10. John Keller (December 12, 2012). "Lockheed Martin to continue project to upgrade AN/FPS-117 long-range surveillance radars". Military & Aerospace Electronics. Retrieved September 2, 2017.
  11. "RRP-117 "Seek Igloo"". Retrieved 2017-09-14.
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