AN/SPN-35
 AN/SPN-35 Approach Radar on USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2), 1987 | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ITT-Gilfillan[1] |
| Type | Precision approach radar |
| Frequency | 9.0 to 9.2 GHz band[2] |
| PRF | 1200 pps[2] |
| Pulsewidth | 0.2 microseconds[2][a] |
| Power | 200 kW[2][b] |
| Related | AN/TPN-8 |
The AN/SPN-35 is a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) landing system installed on the Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships and America-class amphibious assault ships allowing Air Traffic Controllers to provide guidance and glide slope corrections to aircraft during the final approach and landing.[3][4]
The Joint precision approach and landing system (JPALS) is slated to replace the AN/SPN-35 on U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships.[5][6]
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/SPN-35" designation represents the 35th design of an Army-Navy electronic device for waterborne navigational aid radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
Description
[edit]The AN/SPN-35 is used to offer guidance to the aircraft pilot on final approach. It provides relative azimuth, range, and elevation information to the radar operator, who relays this as verbal guidance to the aircraft pilot on approach.[7]
The AN/SPN-35A variant has two antennas: the azimuth antenna (AS-1292/TPN-8) and the elevation antenna (AS-1669/SPN-35). The azimuth antenna is located above the azimuth drive assembly on the stabilized yoke. The elevation antenna is mounted on the elevation drive assembly adjacent to the azimuth antenna.[8]
History
[edit]The AN/SPN-35 was developed from the ground-based AN/TPN-8 landing approach control radar.[9][10] It was first evaluated on the USS Kearsarge in 1962, as an AN/TPN-8 mounted to an AN/SPN-6 stable pedestal and secured to an AN/SPN-8 platform. A prototype was evaluated aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) about a year later as a replacement for the AN/SPN-8 on ASW carriers and small attack carriers.[9] As of 1965, the AN/SPN-35 was being used "primarily on the ASW type carriers."[11]
The -35A variant was used onboard Nimitz-class aircraft carriers prior to 1996, when it was replaced by the AN/SPN-46A/B.[12] It remains in use on the Wasp class and America class today.
Platforms
[edit]
Royal Australian Navy
[edit]
Spanish Navy
[edit]
Royal Navy
[edit]
United States Navy
[edit]- Ship classes known to carry this system:
- Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship[3]
- Wasp-class amphibious assault ship[19][20]
- America-class amphibious assault ship[21][22]
- Nimitz-class aircraft carrier - Replaced by AN/SPN-46 in the late 90s.[12]
- Individual ships known to carry this system:
- USS Intrepid (CV-11)[23]
- USS Hornet (CV-12)[24]
- USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) - Installed 1965 while undergoing overhaul at San Francisco Bay Naval Shipyard.[25]
- USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) - Initial testing and evaluation
- USS Kearsarge (CV-33) - Initial testing and evaluation
- USS Oriskany (CV-34)[23]
- USS Ranger (CV-61)[26]
- USS Tripoli (LPH-10)[27]
- USS Inchon (MCS-12)[19]
Variants
[edit]- AN/SPN-35: Original model that entered service.
- AN/SPN-35A: Improved stabilization system to compensate for pitch and roll of carrier. Replaces the original mechanical-hydraulic stabilization of the original with an electromechanical stabilization system.[7][9]
- AN/SPN-35B:
- AN/SPN-35C: Upgrade to AN/SPN-35B. Adds Moving Target Detection (MTD), Track While Scan (TWS), and Built-In Test (BIT) capability.[28]
See also
[edit]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Moore 1984, p. 184.
- ^ a b c d Maiuzzo, M (May 1970). Compatibility Factors Affecting Concept Development of Approach and Landing Guidance System (PDF) (Report). Annapolis, Maryland: IIT Research Institute. p. 3-9. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ a b Pike, John (30 June 1999). "AN/SPN-35 Aircraft Control Approach Central". FAS Military Analysis Network.
- ^ Defense Acquisitions: Assessments of Selected Weapon Programs (PDF) (Report). US Government Accountability Office. March 2010. p. 81. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ^ Simmons & Ace 1995.
- ^ a b c Friedman 1981, pp. 171–172.
- ^ "AN/TPN-18 - Radartutorial". www.radartutorial.eu. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ Fuchs, William C (December 1965). "For Unerring Performance of Their Duties". Naval Aviation News: 14.
- ^ a b Edward 2010.
- ^ Thompson, Phil (March 2020). "A4G Pilot Survives Ramp Strike" (PDF). Slipstream. Vol. 31, no. 1. Fleet Air Arm Association of Australia. p. 25. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ Moore 1984, p. 426.
- ^ T.C. Lea III; C. P. Senn; J.W. Clark, Jr. (November 1991), "United States Navy Ski Jump Experience and Future Applications" (PDF), AGARD Conference Proceedings 509: Aircraft Ship Operations, AGARD, p. 21-1
- ^ "Principe de Asturias". Naval Technology. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
- ^ Hobbs 2013.
- ^ a b HQ TRADOC (1999), Multiservice Procedures for Joint Air Traffic Control (JATC) (PDF), p. E-14
- ^ Col Gary Warner, PEO Ships Brief to NDIA (PDF), National Defense Industrial Association, p. 27, retrieved 26 May 2025
- ^ Saunders & Philpott 2015.
- ^ "Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) Photo Index LHA-6 America". www.navsource.org. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
- ^ a b Stille 2022.
- ^ Friedman 1981, p. 27.
- ^ U.S. Navy, Aviation Historical Summary, USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14, 1 Apr 1965-30 Sep 1965 (PDF), p. 5
- ^ Commanding Officer, USS Ranger (CVA-61) (23 February 1971), USS Ranger (CVA-61) Command History for 1970 (PDF), p. 23
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Commanding Officer, USS Tripoli. Command History for Calendar year 1972 (PDF) (Report). p. 9.
- ^ U.S. Navy (July 2001). Navy Training System Plan for the AN/SPN-35C Aircraft Control Approach Central. p. 1-2.
Bibliography
[edit]- Moore, John Evelyn (1984). Jane's Fighting Ships 1984-85. Jane's Information Group. ISBN 9780710607959.
- Saunders, Stephen; Philpott, Tom (2015). Jane's fighting ships 2015-2016. p. 960. ISBN 978-0-7106-3143-5. OCLC 919022075.
- Stille, Mark (2022). Essex-Class Aircraft Carriers 1945–91. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 16–17, 32. ISBN 9781472845795.
- Simmons, Larry D.; Ace, Floyd L. (October 1995). Electronics Technician: Volume 7 - Antennas and Wave Propagation (PDF). Vol. 7. Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center. pp. 2-29 – 2-30. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- Friedman, Norman (1981). Naval Radar. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0851772382.
- Edward, Brad (2010). Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. Osprey publishing. p. 29. ISBN 978-1-84603-759-7.
- Hobbs, David (2013). British Aircraft Carriers: Design, Development and Service Histories. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. p. 295. ISBN 978-1-84832-138-0.
External links
[edit]- Approach, vol. 9 at the HathiTrust Digital Library - Refer to page 7 of Sept. 1963 issue for discussion of impact for SPN-35 relative to what came before.