{{Short description|Military 3D early warning and tactical control radar}} [[File:AN-TPS-43.jpg|thumb|300px|The AN/TPS-43 radar set]]
The '''AN/TPS-43''' is a transportable air search [[3D radar]] produced in the [[United States]] originally by [[Westinghouse Electric Corporation]]'s Defense and Electronic Division, which was later purchased by [[Northrop Grumman]]. It is used primarily for [[early warning radar|early warning]] and [[tactical control radar|tactical control]], often for control over an associated [[surface-to-air missile]] battery or [[airfield]]. It is designed to be transported in two [[M35 series 2½-ton 6×6 cargo truck|M35 cargo truck]]s and easily air-transportable on two pallets.
The TPS-43 uses multiple [[feed horn]]s and an [[organ-pipe scanner]] to rapidly scan its [[pencil beam]] vertically while the entire antenna system rotates to scan in azimuth. By comparing the relative power of a return in one or more of the vertical feed horns, the target altitude can be determined. Since its introduction in 1966 it has undergone many modifications. In later versions, the organ-pipe was replaced by a [[stripline]] matrix to produce [[beamforming]] that had the same output pattern but had no moving parts. Many more upgrades were made to the transmitter and receiver as [[solid state electronics]] were able to handle increased power loads.
Among its notable uses were two examples used by the [[Argentine Air Force]] that were moved to the [[Falkland Island]]s during the 1982 [[Falklands War]]. The example at [[Port Stanley Airport]] survived two attacks by [[AGM-45 Shrike]] missiles before being captured by British forces. It was repaired, upgraded, and then used by the [[Royal Air Force]] for many years.
== Description == {{expand section|date=January 2015}}
In accordance with the [[Joint Electronics Type Designation System]] (JETDS), the "''AN/TPS-43''" designation represents the 43rd design of an Army-Navy [[Electronics|electronic device]] for ground transportable search radar system. The JETDS system also now is used to name all [[Department of Defense]] electronic systems.
The AN/TPS-43 is a ground-based, non-fixed (i.e.: transportable) search radar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobileradar.org/radar_types.html|title=Radar Types|website=MobileRadar.org|access-date=July 20, 2025}}</ref> The entire system can be broken down and packed into two [[M35 2-1/2 ton cargo truck|M35 trucks]] for road transport.
An updated version replacing the original [[shaped reflector]] and [[organ-pipe scanner]] with a [[phased array antenna]] was originally known as the TPS-43E2, but emerged as a much more modern system and was renamed the [[AN/TPS-75]]. TPS-75 is the current transportable air control and warning (AC&W) radar used by the United States Air Force.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
== Variants == In addition to the basic TPS-43 several variants were developed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobileradar.org/radar_descptn_3.html|title=Radar Descriptions|website=MobileRadar.org|access-date=January 2, 2015}}</ref>
* TPS-43A (antenna tilt; new IFF) * TPS-43B (enlarged shelter; changes to transmitter) * TPS-43C / 43CX (increased reliability; IFF improvements) * TPS-43D / 43DX (ISLS added; maximum detection range increased) * TPS-43E (major redesign; improvements to electronics, mechanics and shelter) * TPS-43F / subvariants V1 to V6 (major redesign; enlarged shelter, improved electronics; increased reliability) * TPS-43G (4 [[megawatt]] export version designed for Pakistan)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pakdef.org/pakistan-air-defence-ground-environment-system/ |title= Pakistan Air Defence Ground Environment System |website= PAKDEF.org |access-date=2017-06-03 |archive-date=2017-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524084535/http://pakdef.org/pakistan-air-defence-ground-environment-system/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> * TPS-43M (improved electronics; increased dynamic range; improved IFF incorporating several modules in a single unit) * TPS-430
== Operational history == [[File:AN-TPS-43E_tactical_three-dimensional_radar_system.JPEG|thumb|An AN/TPS-43E tactical three-dimensional radar system being set up, 4 January 1999]] {{expand section|date=January 2015}}
The AN/TPS-43 completed development in 1963 and entered US service in 1968.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}
This radar was deployed by the [[Argentine Air Force]] during the 1982 [[Falklands War]] to [[Stanley, Falkland Islands|Stanley]] and survived two British attacks with [[AGM-45 Shrike]] anti radar missiles on May 31 and June 3.<ref>{{Cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=H1Y7AwAAQBAJ&pg=PT286 |title= Vulcan: God of Fire |last= McLelland |first= Tim |date= January 5, 2012 |isbn= 9780752476957 |publisher= [[The History Press]] |location= [[Cheltenham, Gloucestershire]]}}</ref> One of the radars was captured by British forces after the Argentine surrender and deployed at [[RAF Buchan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/b/buchan|title=Buchan Rotor Radar Station|website=Subterranea Britannica.org.uk}}</ref> Another set installed at [[Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego|Rio Grande]], in the mainland, was used to guide Argentine attacks on the British fleet.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q4vPBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA82 |title= Exocet Falklands: The Untold Story of Special Forces Operations |last= Southby-Tailyour |first= Ewen |page= 82 |publisher= Pen and Sword Military |location= [[South Yorkshire]], [[England]] |date= June 19, 2014 |isbn= 978-1783463879}}</ref>
== Users == {{expand section|date=January 2015}}
* [[Argentine Air Force]] - In the early 1980s six sets were purchased, one was lost in the Falklands War.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.nuevamayoria.com/ES/INVESTIGACIONES/defensa/070605.html |title= Medio siglo de gastos para la Defensa y la Seguridad en Argentina (1976-2006)- 2da. Parte |last= Osacar |first= Ignacio J |website= Centro de Estudios Nueva Mayoría |date= June 5, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091735/http://www.nuevamayoria.com/ES/INVESTIGACIONES/defensa/070605.html |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status= dead |access-date= 2015-01-02}}</ref> * [[Bangladesh Air Force]] - 4 (Status Uncertain) * [[Spanish Air and Space Force]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= El radar AN/TPS-43M del Grupo Móvil de Control Aéreo alcanza las 1.000 horas de operatividad en Zona de Operaciones |url= https://emad.defensa.gob.es/en/operaciones/operaciones-en-el-exterior/37-OTAN-EAP/noticias/listado/221209-1000h-radar-tigru.html |access-date=2023-10-17 |website=Estado Mayor De La Defensa |date= December 9, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221209211043/https://emad.defensa.gob.es/en/operaciones/operaciones-en-el-exterior/37-OTAN-EAP/noticias/listado/221209-1000h-radar-tigru.html |archive-date= December 9, 2022 |url-status= usurped}}</ref>
==Specifications== * Weight (including shelter): < {{cvt|3400|kg}} * Frequency range: 2.9 to 3.1 GHz (S-Band) * [[Pulse repetition frequency]]: Fixed: 250 Hz, Staggered: Six PRF's around 250 Hz * Pulse width: 6.5 microseconds * Peak power: 4.0 MW * Average power: 6.7 KW * Beam width (horizontal): 1.1 degrees * Beam width (vertical): 1.5 to 8.1 degrees; total 20 degree coverage; six stacked beams * Antenna rotation rate: 6 rpm * Maximum range 240 NM * Maximum display range: 450 km * Types of cooling : 4 types of cooling use (Air, Gas, Oil and Water)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/karte804.en.html|title=Radar Basics - AN/TPS-43|website=RadarTutorial.eu|access-date=2006-08-04|archive-date=2007-10-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009090702/http://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/karte804.en.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Antenna characteristics: Reflector aperture 14 ft (4.27 m) high by 20 ft 4 in (6.20 m) wide
== See also == {{Portal|Electronics}} *[[List of radars]] * [[AN/TPS-44]] radar * [[AN/TPS-75]] radar * [[List of military electronics of the United States]]
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/material/an-tps43.html |title=Armamento - Material Terrestre - Sistema de Radares Westinghouse AN-TPS43 y W-430 |language=es |website=Fuerza Aérea Argentina (sitio oficial) |publisher=Fuerza Aérea Argentina (Argentine Air Force) |location=Buenos Aires, Argentina |access-date=6 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020036/http://www.fuerzaaerea.mil.ar/material/an-tps43.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}
[[Category:Military radars of the United States]] [[Category:Ground radars]] [[Category:Radars of the United States Air Force]] [[Category:Argentine Air Force]] [[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1960s]] [[Category:Military electronics of the United States]]