OVERVIEW: The AN/TPS-63 Low-Altitude Surveillance Radar (LASS) is a TPS-63 installed on a tethered balloon platform to provide stationary airborne surveillance. It operates in the D-Band.
DETAILS: The AN/TPS-63 LASS is designed to provide stationary airborne surveillance for extended periods of time. The AN/TPS-63 is a two-dimensional radar, which is doctrinally employed as a tactical gap-filler or as an early warning system for early deployment into the operational area. Jamming effects are also reduced by several forms of frequency agility, including pulse-to-pulse, burst, and sector. The radar also uses a full array of clutter-reduction processing techniques and can initiate up to 600 targets automatically.
Specifications:
Frequency: 1.250-1.350 GHz (D Band (NATO), L Band (IEEE)))
Power output: 3 kW(average); 100 kW (peak)
PRF: 774 pps
Accuracy: 150 m (range), 0.35 degrees azimuth
On/Off time: unknown
Deploy/Stow Time Unknown
Detection Range:
Pd+90%, 1m2 RCS: 207 km
Max Range: 322 km
NOTES: IOC 1978. The primary aerostat mission is to provide radar data in support of other federal agencies involved in the nation's drug interdiction program.
SOURCES: Federation of American Scientists. "AN/TPS-63." Accessed December 1, 2013. http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/equip/an-tps-63.htm ; "AN/TPS-63." GlobalSecurity.org - Reliable Security Information. Accessed March 28, 2015. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/an-tps-63.htm ; "GROUND RADARS (Military Weapons)." What-when-how � In Depth Tutorials and Information. Accessed March 28, 2015. http://what-when-how.com/military-weapons/ground-radars-military-weapons/. ; http://www.mobileradar.org/radar_descptn_3.html ; Federation of American Scientists. "Tethered Aerostat Radar System - United States Nuclear Forces." Accessed December 1, 2013. http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/airdef/tars.htm
