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-class frigate and Brooke-class frigates, Charles F. Adams-class destroyer and Hatakaze-class destroyers, Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship and Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, Galveston-class cruiser, 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.

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. 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.

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