The AN/SPN-46(V)1 is a Precision Approach and Landing System, manufactured in the United States, by

Textron Systems Textron Inc. is an American industrial conglomerate based in Providence, Rhode Island. Textron's subsidiaries include Arctic Cat, Bell Textron, Textron Aviation (which itself includes the Beechcraft, and Cessna brands), and Lycoming Engines. I ...

, which is used on aircraft carriers of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

. The radar uses two dual-band radar antennas, which also function as transmitters, to guide planes or helicopters to the ship.

History

The system was first tested in 1984, by the Patuxent River division of the

Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Naval Air Warfare Centers are research organizations within Naval Air Systems Command. The centers are grouped within the following divisions: Aircraft division The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) conducts research, development, ...

, in

Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean to ...

. In 1985 an AN/SPN-46(V)1 system was placed on the aircraft carrier . In 1986 and 1987

OPEVAL {{Unreferenced, date=April 2009 An Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL), the final phase of operational test and evaluation prior to fielding of a system or new equipment, is a process used by NATO military forces and designed to be no more than a 'cust ...

s were held for the radar system. In 1987 the Navy approved the system for "full automatic control from aircraft acquisition at ten nautical miles to touchdown on the deck". Over a period of time between 1987 and 1991, five systems were delivered to the Navy. While the sixth was still being built, its builders,

Bell Aircraft The Bell Aircraft Corporation was an American aircraft manufacturer, a builder of several types of fighter aircraft for World War II but most famous for the Bell X-1, the first supersonic aircraft, and for the development and production of man ...

, a subsidiary of

, were merged with

Textron Defense Systems Textron Inc. is an American industrial conglomerate based in Providence, Rhode Island. Textron's subsidiaries include Arctic Cat, Bell Textron, Textron Aviation (which itself includes the Beechcraft, and Cessna brands), and Lycoming Engine ...

, another subsidiary of Textron Systems. Soon after that another seven radar systems were made, five of which went to replace AN/SPN-42A radar systems, and two of which went to newly commissioned aircraft carriers. The V1 system was phased out of production in 1998, but is planned to remain in service until 2025.

Specifications

The AN/SPN-46(V)1 uses six

AN/AYK-14 The AN/AYK-14(V) is a family of computers for use in military weapons systems. It is a general-purpose 16-bit microprogrammed computer, intended for airborne vehicles and missions. Its modular design provides for common firmware and support softwar ...

computers for processing, is employs a MK 16 Mod 12 shipboard stabilization unit. Its dual antennas are both long.

References

External links

FAS site
Naval radars Military radars of the United States Military equipment introduced in the 1980s {{USN-stub