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AN/SPS-48G | | | Description
The AN/SPS-48G is a long-range, three-dimensional (3D) Air Search Radar that will be installed on CVN, LHA, LHD, and LPD 17 class ships. The AN/SPS-48G is used to find full volumetric detection data for Ships Self Defense System (SSDS) and the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), Air Intercept Control (AIC), Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) detection including Low Elevation and High Diver targets, backup aircraft marshalling, and the new Hazardous Weather Detection and Display Capability.
The long-term obsolescence, Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A) issues have reduced the AN/SPS-48E Radar’s effectiveness in the Fleet and increased system and lifecycle support costs. The AN/SPS-48G(V)1 program responds to these issues through a system redesign that improves the radar's reliability, maintainability, and supportability through technology improvements, Open Architecture (OA) design, and improved logistics processes to accommodate future obsolescence avoidance while reducing lifecycle cost.
The AN/SPS-48G(V)1 only affects the layout of the below-deck units. The program of record is to back-fit the existing SPS-48E population with the SPS-48G(V)1 variant from 2011 through 2020. The intention is to have this configuration support Fleet 3D air search requirements for the ship classes that have SPS-48G(V)1 through 2050 and beyond. The AN/SPS-48G(V)1 replaces the current 1st and 2nd stage RF amplifiers (Unit 1) with a Solid State Transmitter (SSTX) and combines the existing Receiver (Unit 9), Processor (Unit 10), and Auxiliary Detection Processor (ADP) (Unit 15) cabinets into a single equipment cabinet; all of which provides an 87% Lowest Replaceable Unit (LRU) reduction. The AN/SPS-48G(V)1 Mean Time Between Critical Failure (MTBCF) is also improved 104% over the SPS-48E(V), based on 16 years of historical SPS-48E(V) data, and with associated improvements in both operational availability and capability.
Open Architecture design concepts are being implemented that will ensure the sustainment of the COTS radar processor computing environment through a cost effective tech-refresh program. The objective is for maintainability and supportability improvements resulting from an improved maintenance system centered around a more intuitive and interactive Built-in-Test (BIT), embedded technical data, and embedded maintenance and operator training. The Maintenance System is integrated with a Technical Integrated Digital Environment (TIDE) network that hosts and provides all radar technical, engineering, and logistics data; facilitates remote monitoring and distance support; and ensures accurate and timely Configuration Management (CM). There will be corresponding changes to the training curriculum, supply/support, and maintenance philosophy aspects of the SPS-48 program as a result of SPS-48G(V)1 implementation. Training will now be delivered in a two-week course, reduced from twenty-one weeks for the AN/SPS-48E. Training will consist of eleven concentrated training days developed, delivered, and maintained by the In Service Engineering Agent (ISEA). Time will be split between instructor-led, classroom discussions (38%) and hands-on lab (62%) with TTE in a simulated work center environment. The curriculum covers radar component functions, system operation, safety, preventive and corrective maintenance; reinforces basic electronics and radar training received at ATT and Class A Schools.
The radar will be fielded on CVN, LPD-17, LHD, and LHA class ships. There is also interest to replace the existing AN/SPS-48E radars with AN/SPS-48G radars aboard four DDG 993 Class ships that have been sold as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to Taiwan. | | | Features
The AN/SPS-48G radar set is employed on US Navy ships and provides 3D volume air surveillance. Once installed on the ship, the radar is no longer transportable and becomes shipboard permanent equipment until removed. The radar is integrated with a track management system (TMS) such as the CEC or the AN/SYS-2 Integrated Automated Detection and Tracking (IADT) system to provide air search information to the Combat Information Center (CIC) watch team.
The radar set is comprised of 30 individual units that combine to form four major functional areas: Transmitter, Receiver/Processor, Antenna, and Ancillary. These functional areas combined with Computer Software Components (CSC) provide the key Radar Hardware and System Parameters described below.
The processor functional area utilizes a digital receiver to provide filtering and decimation of nine independent time aligned beams of narrowband digital data processing described in the key parameters paragraphs below.
The antenna, Unit 14, is comprised of two separate antennas: Main and Reference. The Main antenna radiates system RF and receives return RF in a beam pattern whose position is determined vertically by its radiated frequency and horizontally by mechanical position of the antenna. As system RF is being routed to the main antenna it passes through two RF filters: Unit 48, a high pass filter, and Unit 47, a band pass filter. These filters eliminate amplified harmonics from being radiated into the atmosphere. The Reference antenna is used to sample the RF noise level existing in the radiating environment.
The processor supports contact processing rates of non-coherent and coherent detections per 4-second scan. Doppler filtering is utilized to make coherent detections. The radar has been designed to function in two separate scan modes: Low Elevation (LOW-E) and Equal Angle Coverage (EAC) mode. LOW-E is designed to detect and track low flying Anti-Ship missiles utilizing Moving Target Indicator (MTI). EAC mode is designed for high angle volume search and to track both high and low altitude targets. Either Scan Mode can be selected for all 360 degrees in azimuth coverage (Background Mode) or can be entered as Scan Mode Gates in sectors not smaller than 5.6 degrees and as large as 360 degrees.
| | | Background
The AN/SPS-48E variant of the Radar was originally developed as part of the New Threat Upgrade (NTU) Program to support the SM-2 Launch On Search (LOS) capability by providing accurate and precise position data, allowing mid-course guidance of missiles fired from own ship or (under some circumstances) fired from other ships. Beginning in FY93, refurbishment of decommissioned assets replaced procurement of new AN/SPS-48E Radars. The AN/SPS-48E Radar was developed under the NDCP SO-188-AA/SO-964-AA of 24 February 1981 which identified a requirement to upgrade the AN/SPS-48C Radar for the NTU Program. Beginning in FY93, refurbishment of decommissioned assets replaced procurement of new AN/SPS-48E Radars and the SPS-48E began installations onboard CVN, LHA and LHD ship classes.
The AN/SPS-48G(V)1 Program, referred to as Radar Obsolescence and Availability Recovery (ROAR), is a Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A) improvement to the AN/SPS-48E(V) Radar that resolves known system readiness issues and addresses Unable to Procure (UTP) concerns throughout its extended lifecycle. The RM&A and Operating & Support Cost improvements for AN/SPS-48G(V)1 allow it to be supported in the Fleet through 2050 and beyond with a performance equivalent to that of the AN/SPS-48E.
AN/SPS-48G kits are produced by ITT Gilfillan under a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract. Refurbishment of the AN/SPS-48E components is completed by ITT Gilfillan under a CPFF/FFP NAVSEA BOA. Both contracts are covered under the AN/SPS-48 Radar Acquisition Plan (AP) # 94-003 (Revision 7 approved 10 June 2008). The AN/SPS-48G unique components passed MIL-S-901D shock and environmental testing.
| | | Point Of Contact
Office of Corporate Communication (SEA 00D)
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington, D.C. 20376 | | | | Last Update: 23 November 2011 | | |
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