View source for AN/SPS-49

{{short description|2-D long-range air search radar of the United States Navy}}
{{Infobox radar 
|name        = AN/SPS-49
|image       = SPS-49 Air Search Radar antenna.jpg
|caption     = AN/SPS-49 on {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}}
|country     = [[United States]] 
|introdate   = 1975 
|number      = 200+
|type        = 2D Air-search
|frequency   = [[L band]] 851–942 MHz
|range       = {{convert|3|nmi|km|abbr=on}} to {{convert|256|nmi|km|abbr=on}} (AN/SPS-49A(V)1)
|altitude    = up to 150,000 ft<br />(45,720 m)
|diameter    = {{convert|24|ft|m|abbr=on}} × 14 ft 3 in<br />(7.3 m × 4.3 m)
|azimuth     = 0 to 360°  
|precision   = 1/16 nmi range<br />0.5 deg azimuth (SPS-49A(V)1)
|power       = 360 kW peak, 13 kW average (AN/SPS-49A(V)1)
}}
The '''AN/SPS-49''' is a [[United States Navy]] two-dimensional, long range air search [[radar]] built by [[Raytheon]] that can provide contact bearing and range. It is a primary air-search radar for numerous ships in the U.S. fleet and in [[Spanish Navy|Spain]], [[Polish Navy|Poland]], [[Republic of China Navy|Taiwan]] aboard {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|1}}s, [[Royal Canadian Navy|Canada]] on its {{sclass|Halifax|frigate|1}} (prior to FELEX mid-life upgrade) and [[Royal New Zealand Navy|New Zealand]] on its {{sclass|Anzac|frigate|1}}s. It formerly served in a complementary role aboard [[Aegis combat system|Aegis]] cruisers with the [[AN/SPY-1]] but the systems are currently being removed during routine upgrade with no replacement.

In accordance with the [[Joint Electronics Type Designation System]] (JETDS), the "''AN/SPS-49''" designation represents the 49th design of an Army-Navy [[Electronics|electronic device]] for [[surface ship]] search radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all [[Department of Defense]] electronic systems.

==Operation==
First tested in 1965 aboard {{USS|Gyatt}} and introduced in 1975, the AN/SPS-49 operates in the 851–942&nbsp;MHz, or L-, band and has a range of {{convert|256|nmi|km}}. The orange-peel parabolic shape of the antenna creates a narrow 3.3°-beam to reduce the probability of detection or jamming. It can rotate at 6  rpm in long range mode or 12 rpm in short-range mode.<ref name="globalsecurity1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/systems/an-sps-49.htm|title=AN/SPS-49 Very Long-Range Air Surveillance Radar|website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref>  Default is at 12 rpm for the AN/SPS-49A(V)1, to provide more frequent scans against incoming missiles.  The SPS-49A(V)1 can detect out to its full range at either 6 or 12 rpm. The antenna is stabilised to compensate for ships pitch and roll, to a maximum of +/-15° for both pitch and roll in 12 rpm mode, and +/-23.5° for both pitch and roll in 6 rpm mode. The output stage of the transmitter in all variants uses a two-cavity [[klystron]] amplifier. 
[[File:Combat systems of the FFG-7 class.png|thumb|300px|right|The AN/SPS-49 is part of the combat systems of the ''Oliver Hazard Perry''-class frigate.]]In 1998, the Inspector General of the Department of Defense reported that [[SPS-40]] and SPS-49 radars in Bahrain were "unusable because the equipment operates on a frequency that interferes with the Bahrain telecommunications services".<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19981018&id=IP9TAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Fo4DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6439,556002|title = Pentagon Equipment Disrupting Phone System|date = October 18, 1998|work = Boca Raton News|publisher = Associated Press}}</ref>

=== On board ships ===

==== {{Flagicon|United States|variant=Naval}} United States ====

* {{sclass|Nimitz|aircraft carrier|1}} 
* {{sclass|Kitty Hawk|aircraft carrier|1}}
* {{sclass|Iowa|battleship|1}}
* {{sclass|Ticonderoga|cruiser|1}} 
* {{sclass|Virginia|cruiser|1}}
* {{sclass|Leahy|cruiser|1}}
* {{sclass|Spruance|destroyer|1}} 
* {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|1}} 

==== {{Flagicon|Republic of China|variant=Naval}} Republic of China ====
* [[Cheng Kung-class frigate]]

==== {{Flagicon|Italy|variant=Naval}} Italy ====

* {{sclass|Alpino|frigate|1}}
* {{sclass|Bergamini|frigate|1}}

==== {{Flagicon|Australia|variant=Naval}} Australia ====

* {{sclass|Anzac|frigate|1}}

==== {{Flagicon|Canada|variant=Naval}} Canada ====

* {{sclass|Halifax|frigate|1}}

==== {{Flagicon|New Zealand|variant=Naval}} New Zealand ====

* [[Anzac-class frigate|''Te Kaha''-class frigate]] (Replaced with [[SMART-S_Mk2|SMART-S]] as part of the [[Anzac-class frigate#New_Zealand_modifications|FSU programme]] in the early 2020s)

[[File:SPS-49(V)8 ANZ.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Antenna of an AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ radar system on a Royal Australian Navy ANZAC class frigate. The AS-177B/UPX antenna fitted to the rear of the reflector functions as a back-fill radiator for the AS-4328/U IFF interrogator antenna.]]

==== {{Flagicon|South Korea|variant=Naval}} South Korea ====

* {{sclass|Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin|destroyer|1}}
* [[Gwanggaeto the Great-class destroyer]]

==Variants==
As of 2014, there are eleven configurations of the AN/SPS-49(V).
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)1:''' Baseline radar (Various CVN, LHA, LSD and other ships)
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)2:''' (V)1 radar without the coherent  side  lobe  cancellation feature ({{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|1}}s)
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)3:''' (V)1 radar with the radar video  processor  (RVP)  interface (FC-1) ({{USS|Long Beach|CGN-9|6}})
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)4:''' (V)2  with  the  RVP interface ({{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|1}}s)
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)5:''' (V)1 with automatic target  detection  (ATD) ([[New Threat Upgrade]] (NTU) ships)
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)6:''' (V)3 system with double shielded cables and a modified cooling system  ({{USS|Ticonderoga|CG-47|6}})
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)7:''' (V)5 system with a (V)6 cooling system ([[Aegis combat system]])
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)8:''' (V)5 system enhanced to include the AEGIS Tracker modification kit ([[Aegis combat system]])
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ:''' (V)8 system modified to interface with the CelsiusTech 9LV-453 combat system ({{sclass|Anzac|frigate|1}}s)
* '''AN/SPS-49(V)9:''' (V)5 with medium PRF upgrade  (MPU)
* '''AN/SPS-49A(V)1:''' Developed in the mid-1990s. Added radial speed determination on each target, each scan. Improved clutter rejection

==See also==
{{Portal|Electronics}}
* [[List of radars]]
*[[List of military electronics of the United States]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060527212458/http://www.tpub.com/content/et/14089/css/14089_26.htm Electronics Technician Volume 4-Radar Systems] - via Tpub
{{Raytheon}}

[[Category:Raytheon Company products]]
[[Category:Sea radars]]
[[Category:Military radars of the United States]]
[[Category:Military electronics of the United States]]