OVERVIEW: The 5N64K radar (NATO name: BIG BIRD A) is a long range, transportable, 3-D phased array early warning/GCI radar operating in the E Band.
DETAILS: The 5N64K BIG BIRD A is a containerized phased array radar. It is capable of frequency hopping, and incorporates additional auxiliary antenna/receiver channels for suppression of sidelobe jammers. The system is capable of detecting 200 targets and tracking from 6-12 per engagement.
Specifications:
Frequency: 2 GHz (E Band (NATO), S Band (IEEE)))
Power output: unknown (average); unknown MW (peak)
PRF: unknown Hz
Range Resolution: 200 m (range), 0.5 degrees (azimuth)
On/Off time: unknown
Deploy/Stow Time 5 minutes
Detection Range:
3m2 RCS (Mig-21) size tgt: 260 km
NOTES: The containerized 5N64K was rapidly supplanted by the self-propelled 5N64S for increased mobility. Unlike Western phased arrays in this class, the BIG BIRD uses a reflective phased array with a front face horn feed, the horn placed at the end of the long boom which protects the waveguides to the transmitters and receivers in the cabin. The beam steering electronics are embedded inside the antenna array, which has around 2700 phase elements on either face. This Janus faced arrangement permits the Big Bird to concurrently search two 90 degree sectors, in opposite directions, using mechanical rotation to position the antenna and electronic beam steering in azimuth and elevation.
SOURCES: Janes Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems 2002-2003 "5N69 early-warning radars/Ground Controlled Interception (CGI) radar, 02 July 2001, pg. 1982-84 (http://librarun.org/book/30265/1984); "Soviet/Russian SAM Site Configuration Part 2: S-300P/S-400 /SA-10/20/21, S-300V/SA-12, 2K11/SA-4, 2K12/SA-6, 9K37/317/SA-11/17." Air Power Australia. Accessed March 21, 2015. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-SAM-Site-Configs-B.html; "Air Power Australia. "Search and Acquisition Radars (S-Band, X-band)." Accessed December 1, 2013. http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Acquisition-GCI.html ; "SOV - 5N64 / 64N6 (prehladov� R�diolok�tor)." Http://forum.valka.cz. Accessed March 21, 2015. http://forum.valka.cz/topic/view/40137 ; http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/tombstone.htm