AN/FPS-8 Radar explained

AN/FPS-8
Country:	United States
Manufacturer:	General Electric
Introdate:	1954-1958
Number:	Over 200 produced
Type:	Medium-Range Search Radar
Frequency:	1280 - 1380 megahertz
Prf:	360 hertz
Beamwidth:	2.5 degrees
Pulsewidth:	3 microseconds
Rpm:	0 to 10 rpm
Power:	1 MW
Other Names:	AN/GPS-3, AN/MPS-11, AN/FPS-88

The AN/FPS-8 Radar was a Medium-Range Search Radar used by the United States Air Force Air Defense Command.

The radar was a medium power D-Band search radar designed for aircraft control and early warning, and was installed at commercial airports and military bases both in the United States and overseas.In most installations the antenna was exposed, being mounted on a temporary tower.

For severe environmental conditions, the AN/FPS-8 was self-contained in an arctic tower with a protective radome. Over the years improvements were made to the basic AN/FPS-8, culminating in the final version whose nomenclature was AN/FPS-88 (V). The AN/FPS-8 also had two mobile versions: the AN/MPS-11 and the AN/MPS-11A.

Classification of radar systems

Under the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), all U.S. military radar and tracking systems are assigned a unique identifying alphanumeric designation. The letters “AN” (for Army-Navy) are placed ahead of a three-letter code.^[1]

• The first letter of the three-letter code denotes the type of platform hosting the electronic device, where A=Aircraft, F=Fixed (land-based), S=Ship-mounted, and T=Ground transportable.
• The second letter indicates the type of equipment, where P=Radar (pulsed), Q=Sonar, and R=Radio.
• The third letter indicates the function or purpose of the device, where G=Fire control, R=Receiving, S=Search, and T=Transmitting.

Thus, the AN/FPS-8 represents the 8th design of an Army-Navy “Fixed, Radar, Search” electronic device.^{[2] [1]}

See Also

• List of military electronics of the United States

External links

• Radomes.org - AN/FPS-8

Notes and References

1. Book: Avionics Department. Electronic Warfare and Radar Systems Engineering Handbook. 4. Missile and Electronic Equipment Designations. 2-8.1. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. Point Mugu, California. 2013.
2. Book: Winkler, David F.. Searching the Skies: The Legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program. Radar Systems Classification Methods. 73. United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command. Langley AFB, Virginia. 1997. 97020912.