AN/SPN-46

The AN/SPN-46 is a precision aproach and landing radar system developed by Textron Systems for the US Navy aircraft carriers. The AN/SPN-46 utilizes an X-band coherent transmitter and receiver using monopulse tracking and doppler processing on received signals for clutter rejection and rain attenuation at an operating range of 8 nmi. During day and night operations and in adverse weather conditions, the AN/SPN-46 provides safe and reliable final approach and landing guidance for Marine Corps helicopters and AV-8B Harrier VSTOL attack aircraft. Since this radar system is equipped with two dual-band radar antennas/transmitters, the AN/SPN-46 can control up to two aircraft simultaneously in a "leapfrog" pattern. The AN/SPN-46 is also capable of providing for a manually controlled approach (MODE III landing) in which the AN/SPN-46 air traffic controller relays to the pilot continuous updates on his position and direction. The AN/SPN-46 also uses low-probability-of-intercept (LPI) technology to decrease the probability of passive detection by hostile forces.