FPS-3

 Long Range Search Radar Set - A long range search radar manufactured by the Bendix Radio Division of Bendix Aviation Corporation and deployed to long range radar sites in the 1950s. Equipped with Moving Target Indicator (MTI) and normally employed as part of an aircraft early warning network. Capable of detecting heavy bomber aircraft at a range of 200 to 300 miles and a height of approximately 40,000 to 60,000 feet depending on the range. Operates in temperatures ranging from -67 deg F to plus 140 deg F with humidity up to 100 percent and at altitudes from sea level to 7,000 feet. Variants include the FPS-3A, the FPS-508 Canadian version and the MPS-7 Mobile Version.

The antenna was normally mounted on either a temperate tower or an arctic tower and usually covered with an inflated radome on the arctic tower. Air pressure kept the radome inflated and access to the antenna deck was through an airlock. In colder climates the antenna bubble also had heat banks to keep snow and ice off the bubble. The two transmitter groups and other components were mounted on a rotating frame below the antenna sail.



See Also:
 * US Radar Sets

Sources:

Links:
 * Radomes - FPS-3
 * Radomes - Radar Equipment