Thursday, December 04, 2008

AN/APN-242

Origin
United States of America

Contractor/s
Sperry Marine

Applications
KC-135 Stratotanker

Description: The AN/APN-242 is a color weather and navigation airborne radar developed by Northrop-Grumman Sperry Marine. The APN-242 has been designed to provide dramatically improved mean-time between failures (MTBFs) compared with its predecessor the APN-59. Approximately the MTBF has been increased in excess of an order of magnitude (10x). In addition, the APN-242 radar system has half the number of line replaceable units (LRUs) for ease of maintenance and repair. The APN-242 radar is suitable for fixed-wing aircraft such as the C-130 and C-135.

The radar system provides: weather detection and avoidance out to 240 nautical miles (400 km) delivering color images; fighter aircraft detection; high resolution terrain mapping and coastal navigation; and ground and airborne beacon detection. Additionally, the AN/APN-242 radar can interrogate IFF equipped aircraft out to 100 nautical miles (185 km). The radar system comprises three items: flat plate array rotating antenna unit; the low power solid state receiver/transmitter; and the ASN-165 display group that provides the color/monochrome radar image.

In August 2003, the AN/APN-242 airborne radar was ordered by the US Air Force for its fleet of RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft replacing the APN-59 systems. Retrofit began in November 2003 and concluded in May 2004. The APN-242 installation did not require aircraft modifications because is based on the existing aircraft infrastructure for the APN-59 radar.

Specifications
Weights: Max Weight 205 lb (93 kg)

Performance: Max Range 240 nautical mile (), Mean-Time Between Failures 1,000 hours in excess

Power: Power Consumption 800 watt

Operators

United States of America

Internet Resources
sperrymarine.northropgrumman.com

Notes
(*) lead contractor
IOC: Initial Operating Capability
FOC: Full Operating Capability
CEP: Circular Error Probable
Comm: Commissioning Date
Meters (m) Kilometers (km) Nautic Miles (nm) Inch (in) Yard (yd) Foot (ft) Millimeter (mm)
Pound (lb) Kilogram (kg) kN (KiloNewton) Ton (t)
Meters per Second (mps) Kilometers per Hour (kph) Knot (kt) Miles per Hour (mph)
Liter (l) Galon (gl)
Year (yr) Minutes (min) Second (sec)
Shaft-Horse-Power (shp)

Last Updated: Saturday, November 22, 2008

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