AN/SPQ-9A(sometimes pronounced as "spook nine" ) is aUnited States Navymulti-purpose surface search andfire controlradarused with theMk-86 gun fire-control system (MK86 GFCS).It is a two dimensional surface-search radar, meaning it provides only range andbearingbut notelevation.It is intended primarily to detect and track targets at sea level, on the surface of the water for either gun fire engagement or navigation. It can however, also detect and track lowaltitude(below 2000 ft) air targets.
 The AN/SPQ-9 radome onUSSNicholson(DD-982) | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Frequency | X band(8-12 GHz) |
| Range | 150 yds (137 m) to 20 nm (37 km) |
| Power | 1.2 kW |
Service
editInitially tested on theUSSNorton Sound(AVM-1),it was also deployed onSpruance-class destroyers,Kidd-class destroyers,Arleigh Burke-class destroyers,Ticonderoga-class cruisers,Tarawa-class amphibious assault ships,California-class cruisers,Virginia-class cruisers,andNational Security Cuttersof theUnited States Coast Guard.It was fitted to theGerman Navy'sLütjens-class destroyersas part of the Type 103B upgrade in the 1980s.[1]
SPQ-9B
editThe SPQ-9A onTiconderoga-class cruisersand the SPS-67 onArleigh Burke-class destroyersare being replaced by the SPQ-9B. It provides twice the range compared to the SPQ-9A and improved range resolution. This replacement is being done as a part of the United States Navy's cruiser modernization and destroyer modernization programs to extend the life of the existing ships. The new SPQ-9B will be a part of the Mk 160 Mod 11 Gun Computer System of theMk 34 Gun Weapon System.The first operational evaluation of the SPQ-9B was onUSSOldendorf(DD-972)in October 2002. It is to be installed on CVN-68, LPD-17, CG-47, WMSL-750, LHD-1, and LHA-6 ship classes. The system isX-bandand the antenna consists of dual planar arrays mounted back-to-back under a radome.[2]Flight IIIArleigh Burke-class destroyersare also planned to have the SPQ-9B.[3]
Gallery
edit-
Norton Soundduring Mk-86 testing, carrying AN/SPQ-9. -
AN/SPQ-9B radar on board mast of JSAtago(DDG-177) left front view at JMSDF Maizuru Naval Base, 13 April 2019.
References
edit- ^Sharpe, Richard (1995).Jane's Fighting Ships.London: Janes Information Group. p. 238.ISBN9780710611611.
- ^"AN/SPQ-9B Radar Set".Public Domain US Navy Fact File.Retrieved2014-06-04.
- ^"Northrop Grumman to Supply AN/SPQ-9B Radars for Three U.S. Navy Vessels".Northrop Grumman.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-06-04.Retrieved2014-06-04.
See Also
editExternal links
edit- NAVAIR warfighters encyclopedia, AN/SPQ-9A
- Fire Controlman Volume 02-Fire Control Radar Fundamentals, via tpub
- GlobalSecurity.org AN/SPQ-9 Radar
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