AN/SPS-52

The AN/SPS-52 is a United States Navy long-range air search 3D radar that is capable of providing contact bearing, range and altitude. It was used on Baleares and Brooke-class frigates, Charles F. Adams and Hatakaze-class destroyers, Tarawa and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, Galveston, and Providence-class cruisers and other ships. It was replaced by the AN/SPS-48 on newer ships and ships that received upgrades. The antenna is mechanically rotated for azimuth but electronically scanned for elevation.

AN/SPS-52

AN/SPS-52 on USS Ramsey (FFG-2)
Country of origin	United States
No. built	Many
Type	3D Air-search
Frequency	2900-3100 MHz
Range	60 nmi (110 km) (short range mode) 245 nmi (454 km) (wide pulse) [1]
Azimuth	0-360°
Power	1000 kW
Related	AN/SPS-39

Description

The AN/SPS-52 was a development of the AN/SPS-39, incorporating a new planar antenna, a parametric amplifier, and a wide-pulse feature for longer range. It is externally indistinguishable from SPS-39 with the Series III field change.^[1]

The AN/SPA-72B antenna used by the AN/SPS-52 is a planar array, tilted back 25 degrees to allow for high-elevation coverage. The array is a collection of rows of slotted waveguides, fed from a feed system running the length of one side of the total wave assembly. Scanning in the vertical plane is achieved by feeding the antenna different frequencies.

As of the AN/SPS-52C revision, this radar has four modes of operation: high angle, long range, high data rate, and Moving Target Indicator (MTI). The primary mode is high angle, which provides coverage to approximately 180 miles and elevation up to 45°. In the long range mode, the radar has a range of approximately 300 miles and an elevation of approximately 13°. The high data rate mode has a range of approximately 110 miles with an elevation of approximately 45° and is used to acquire pop-up and close-in targets quickly. The MTI mode provides coverage up to 70 miles and up to 38 degrees and is intended for high-clutter environments.^[1][2]

Gallery

• 
  Late AN/SPS-39 installation on USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23) using same AN/SPA-72 antenna as AN/SPS-52

See also

• Electronics portal

• Joint Electronics Type Designation System – Unclassified designation system for United States military electronic equipment
• List of radars
• List of military electronics of the United States