Quick Facts
| Role and Mobility | Long-Range Air Surveillance; Ground-Based, Non-Mobile |
| Frequency | L-Band |
| Range | 470 km |
| Air Defense Interceptor Systems | N/A |
| Targets | Theater Ballistic Missiles |
| Status and Exports | Operational; Exported to Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Jordan, Kuwait, Singapore, South Korea, Spain and the United Kingdom |
| Producer | Lockheed Martin |
Overview
The AN/FPS-117 is a fixed position, solid state, long-range, three-dimensional radar that provides airspace surveillance.[i] It consists of a primary radar, a secondary radar, and a subsystem for simulation. Designed to be part of the American-Canadian North Warning System, AN/FPS-117 provides long-range detection and coverage for drug interdiction support and tactical command and control.[ii] The system boasts a pencil beam capability that allows for complete flexibility in customizing the beam patterns to optimize performance in challenging terrain and clutter applications.[iii] Operating in the L-Band frequency, the AN/FPS-117 has a range of 470 km and enhanced weather and clutter mapping displays. It is used dually for air defense and air traffic control. The AN/TPS-77 is the transportable version of the AN/FPS-117.
Strategic Implications
The AN/FPS-117 radar is strategically valuable because of its inherent ability to rapidly respond to attempts at jamming and anti-radiation missiles.[iv] Specifically, the AN/FPS-117 radar is capable of randomly hopping among 18 channels in the 1215-1400 MHz band allowing it to counter jamming.[v] Also, its pencil beam architecture also offers the advantage of “looking down” from elevated sites to detect aircraft in valleys, minimizing the possibility of enemy targets slipping by unnoticed.[vi] AN/FPS-117 can be placed in rugged terrain and high conflict areas, while maintaining its peak performance, making it a very diverse radar.
Recent News
Timeline
January 2015: The Air Force received an early delivery of AN/FPS-117 field maintenance equipment
January 2014: United States fields a contract to modernize its AN/FPS-117 radars
November 2011: Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to upgrade the radars to extend their operational lives through 2025
August 2006: Lockheed Martin stated that there are 127 AN/FPS-117 radar systems operational in 14 countries worldwide
November 2003: Germany contracted with Lockheed Martin to upgrade its AN/FPS-117 radars
1988: The German defense Procurement agency, BWB, ordered eight AN/FPS-117 radars
July 1984: The radar was picked to replace the US Air Force’s AN/FPS-67 radar and commissioned at Tempelhof
1980: The AN/FPS-117 was first produced by GE Aerospace (now Lockheed Martin) in 1980
References
[i] http://www.deagel.com/Sensor-Systems/ANFPS-117_a001519001.aspx
[ii] http://www.radartutorial.eu/19.kartei/02.surv/karte007.en.html
[iii] https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/ground-based-air-surveillance/FPS117_brochure.pdf
[iv] Ibid.
[v] http://www.alternatewars.com/BBOW/Radar/FPS_Series.htm
[vi] https://www.lockheedmartin.com/content/dam/lockheed/data/ms2/documents/ground-based-air-surveillance/FPS117_brochure.pdf
