TPS-78 and TPS-703 Solid-State Tactical Mobile Radar System
The AN/TPS-78 and the TPS-703 are the latest generation of state-of-the-art radars made possible by the technological advances in high power transistor design. Fielded and operationally proven by the United States Air Force and customers worldwide, the S-Band long-range AN/TPS-78 and the midrange TPS-703 are in 24-hour-a-day operation around the world.
Full Coverage Detection and Tracking
Unlike many systems that still use single pencil beam architecture, the AN/ TPS-78 and the TPS-703 employ a stacked beam that provides full-time, full-volume coverage of all targets. Both radars detect high-altitude targets while simultaneously detecting low-altitude targets in heavy ground and sea clutter. These systems can perform both Air Traffic Control (ATC) and air defense missions, since they track both commercial targets and high-speed maneuverable military aircraft. For the TPS-703, a maritime tracker that is independent of the air target tracker can also be provided.
Extensive ECCM Features
The radars employ numerous advanced techniques to limit susceptibility to jamming.
In a wartime mode, both radars operate in a frequency agile mode, dynamically selecting the least jammed frequency in the 300 MHz operating band. The operator can also select a fixed frequency for a peacetime mode to maintain bandwidth capability security. The low-sidelobe antenna will filter out most sidelobe jamming before it enters the radar system.
Extended Operability
Solid-state transmitters combine the outputs of many ultra-high reliability solid-state modules.
Sufficient margin is provided in the transmitter such that advertised performance can easily be maintained, even with the normal rate of failing transistors, until the next scheduled maintenance interval. This "Fail Soft" design eliminates the need for immediate repair of transmitter hardware.
The radars offer a mean time between critical failure rate (MTBCF) of over 2,000 hours, greatly increasing the time between required maintenance actions.
Survivability
The AN/TPS-78 and TPS-703 radars are designed and proven to operate in some of the world’s harshest, most unforgiving environments. This outstanding survivability is achieved by combining unsurpassed mobility, unmatched sidelobe levels and innovative "cool" antenna technology.
There are no active radiating elements on the antenna, which provides a "cool" array to shield from the attacks of heat-seeking missiles.
Low-Cost Logistic Supportability
The modular design in the AN/TPS-78 and TPS-703 systems reduce the number of transmitter Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) types by 80 percent from previous radar designs. The entire transmitter requires only nine different LRU types, including fully interchangeable pre-amps, power panels, and radio frequency panel power amplifier modules.
Unrivaled Mobility: S-Band provides compact system size
All electronics including the transmitter are packaged in a single 14-foot (4.3 m) ISO shelter, among the smallest manned shelters in use. The AN/TPS-78 and the TPS-703 can each be transported in a single C-130 aircraft.
» More information: Download the Solid State Radars brochure