AN / SPY-1
The AN / SPY-1 is a sea-based multifunction radar of US -Konzerns Lockheed Martin . It is located since its introduction in 1983 on the cruisers of the Ticonderoga class in the service of different nations.
description
The main feature of the SPY-1 radar is the technique of passive electronic beam pivoting ( passive phased array ). It enables the radar to switch back and forth between targets in milliseconds, with no mechanical alignment necessary (so no moving parts are built in). On the one hand, this increases reliability and, on the other hand, the radar is easier to maintain. With this technique it is also possible to continuously track a much larger number of targets. This is not possible with conventional (rotating) radars. Higher interference immunity and greater range are further advantages over conventional radar. Particularly in the context of the desired stealth properties of newer ships (e.g. the Arleigh Burke class ), it is also advantageous that the radar antennas are flat and therefore only have a small radar cross-section . However, it is disadvantageous that each radar panel can only monitor an area of 120 °. A 360 ° surveillance was implemented in the SPY-1 by installing a separate radar panel in each of the four cardinal directions .
The abovementioned capabilities make the SPY-1 the core component of the Aegis combat system that requires the location and tracking of hundreds of targets at the same time. The SPY-1 can also detect and track almost any type of radar target (ships, aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles ). It was originally intended for American destroyers and cruisers, but there are now versions for smaller ships (e.g. corvettes ). The successor model is the AN / SPY-3 , which is still in development.
The successor to the SPY-1 is the AN / SPY-6 , which will be used on various US Navy ship classes from 2023.
variants
SPY-1A: First operational variant.
SPY-1B: This variant was modified so that the radar beam could be directed to the zenith . As a result, targets that were flying directly over the ship could now also be tracked seamlessly. The side lobe has been greatly reduced by new transmitters and the duty cycle has been doubled. New, lighter phase shifters reduced the volume and weight of the system. This also resulted in a reduction in antenna subsets, which resulted in a narrower radar beam. In addition, new computers were installed, which significantly increased the computing capacity, which among other things made it possible to use improved ECCM processes. Despite energy-saving measures, the system requires so much energy that the range of a Ticonderoga cruiser is reduced by approx. 3200 km if the radar works continuously at maximum power.
SPY-1D: Since it was planned to equip the ships of the Arleigh Burke class with the Aegis combat system, the SPY-1 system had to be significantly modified. The four antennas were all mounted in a single mast, which significantly reduced weight and volume and made it possible to supply all antennas with a single power source. The performance (especially the range) has also been increased significantly.
SPY-1D (V): This upgrade of the SPY-1D design improved performance in littoral waters and increased transmit power by 25%. It is also designed to better support the NT-SBT guided missile. The US Navy plans to equip the destroyers DDG-91 to -112 with this radar.
SPY-1E: The unofficial designation SPY-1E was assigned to an AESA variant, although this was previously called SPY-2 by Lockheed and is now called "S-Band Advanced Radar" (SBAR). The system should be significantly more powerful than the SPY-1D series and replace them. In particular, the capacities against targets with a small radar cross section (RCS) and ballistic missiles are to be increased significantly. The program is closely linked to the development of the “Dual Band Radar” for the Zumwalt class , with the first prototype being presented in May 2003.
SPY-1F: This variant was specially developed for the Fridtjof Nansen class so that these 5000 ton ships can also carry an Aegis combat system and is intended for use on smaller ships (e.g. frigates ). Therefore, the overall size was reduced so that the system was light enough for these ships. The target is mainly the export market. The ability to combat ballistic targets has been removed as this is not normally part of the spectrum of operations of frigates or similar small ships.
SPY-1F (V): Extensive improvements to the SPY-1F design expanded the scope of duties to include littoral warfare and anti-anti-ship missile combat .
SPY-1K: In order to enable the use on even smaller ships (e.g. corvettes ), the system was downsized again.
Platforms
SPY-1A / B: Ticonderoga class
SPY-1D: Arleigh Burke- class , Álvaro de Bazán- class , Kongō- class , Hobart- class , Atago- class
SPY-1F: Fridtjof Nansen class
Technical specifications
| SPY-1A | SPY-1B | SPY-1D | SPY-1F | SPY-1K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna diameter | 3.7 m | 2.4 m | 1.7 m | ||
| Weight | 5440 kg | 3580 kg | 1910 kg | ||
| Number of transmitters per antenna | 4350 | 1856 | 912 | ||
| Frequency range | S-band (3.1-3.5 GHz ) | ||||
| Pulse power | 4-6 MW | ||||
| Continuous output | 58 kW | ||||
| Opening angle | 1.7 ° | <1.7 ° | |||
| Antenna gain | 42 dB | ||||
| Airtime | 6.4 / 12.7 / 25.4 / 51 µs | ||||
| Search sector | Horizontal: 0-360 ° | Horizontal: 0-360 ° Vertical: 0-90 ° |
|||
| Goals that can be pursued simultaneously | > 200 | ||||
| Range ( RCS = 1 m²) | approx. 585 km | ||||
Web links
- FAS.org ( Eng. )
- Radartutorial.eu
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b AN / SPY Series Radars. Retrieved December 31, 2013 .
- ^ JS Webster, H. Fireman, DA Allen, AJ Mackenna, JC Hootman: Alternative Propulsion Methods for Surface Combatants and Amphibious Warfare Ships. January 1, 2007, p. 5 , accessed on December 31, 2013 (English).
- ↑ a b c Radartutorial.eu
- ↑ a b Jane's Major Warships 2003
- ↑ a b Chris Chant: Warships Today . Stocker-Schmid AG, Dietkion-Zurich 2006, ISBN 3-613-30553-4 .
- ↑ Doug Richardson: Stealth - Invisible Airplanes . Stocker-Schmid AG, Dietkion-Zurich 2002, ISBN 3-7276-7096-7 .