AN/SPQ-9 Radar

AN/SPQ-9 Radar

The AN/SPQ-9 Surface Surveillance and Tracking Radar, developed by Northrop Grumman Norden Systems, Melville, NY, is a track-while-scan radar used with the MK-86 Gunfire Control system on surface combatants. The AN/SPQ-9B detects sea skimming missiles at the horizon even in heavy clutter while simultaneously providing detection and tracking of surface targets and beacon responses.

The AN/SPQ-9B is available as a stand-alone radar or as a replacement for the AN/SPQ-9 in the Mk 86 Gun Fire Control System, which will be integrated into the Mk 1 Ship Self Defense System (SSDS). The Radar Set AN/SPQ-9B is a high resolution, X-band narrow beam radar that provides both air and surface tracking information to standard plan position indicator (PPI) consoles. The AN/SPQ-9B scans the air and surface space near the horizon over 360 degrees in azimuth at 30 Revolutions Per Minute (RPM). Real-time signal and data processing permit detection, acquisition and simultaneous tracking of multiple targets.

The AN/SPQ-9B provides raw and clear plot (processed) surface video, processed radar air synthetic video, gate video, beacon video synchro signals indicating antenna relative azimuth, Azimuth Reference Pulses (ARP), and Azimuth Change Pulse (ACP). The radar will maintain its capabilities in the presence of clutter from the sea, rain, land, discrete objects, birds, chaff and jamming. In the Radiate state the AN/SPQ-9B has three modes of operation: the Air mode, Surface mode and Beacon mode. Both Air and Surface modes have a submode for Organic Combat System Operator/Team Training. The AN/SPQ-9B serves as a complement to high-altitude surveillance radars to detect missiles approaching just above the sea surface. The system emits a one-degree beam that, at a range of approximately 10 nautical miles, is capable of detecting missiles at altitudes up to 500 feet. Since the beamwidth expands over distance, the maximum altitude will increase at greater ranges.