3D Lanza

Quick Facts

Role and Mobility	Long-Range Volumetric Air Surveillance and Air Traffic Control; Fixed Position
Frequency	L-Band
Range	470 km
Air Defense Interceptor Systems	N/A
Targets	Theater Ballistic Missiles
Status/Exports	Operational; Uruguay and Portugal
Producer	Indra Sistemas

Overview

The 3D Lanza is a ground-based, fixed-position long-range volumetric air search radar developed by Indra in the 1990s to replace the Spanish Air Force AN/FPS-113 and AN/FPX-90 surveillance radars.[i] The purpose of the 3D Lanza radar is two-fold; it serves military operators as a 3D air surveillance radar, but it also serves civilian customers as a real-time air traffic control radar.[ii] With a range of 470 km, the 3D Lanza can also detect targets with an altitude up to 30,000 meters (100,000 ft). The 3D Lanza radar also possesses soft-fail technology that helps minimize any degradation during recovery and clear up all types of clutter including weather and terrain.[iii] Spain’s Indra has also developed a mobile version and a naval version of this system.

Strategic Implications

Strategically, the 3D Lanza radar is valuable for the Spanish Air Force because it allows its ground stations to operate 24/7 automatically with a minimum of specialized crew members relaying the data, freeing up personnel to operate in other areas of importance.[iv] While operating, the shapes and positions of its narrow pencil beam can be controlled in range and elevation to step over clutter and reduce clutter returns.[v] This feature provides the operating country with the best possible chance of detecting all threats before impact.