Air Force asks Northrop Grumman to upgrade transceivers in AN/TPN-24 mobile air traffic control radar systems

TINKER AFB, Okla., 10 June 2012. U.S. Air Force logistics experts are asking the Northrop Grumman Technical Services segment in Herndon, Va., to upgrade the radar transceivers of the Air Force mobile, rapidly deployable AN/TPN-24 air traffic control radar system.

The E-band, dual-diversity, multiple beam AN/TPN-24 is the airfield surveillance radar for the AN/TPN-19 landing control central system and originally was designed for that system. Military forces also use the AN/TPN-24 separately for use on its own or with other equipment (story continues below).

Officials of the Air Force Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla., announced plans to award a two-year sole-source contract to Northrop Grumman Thursday to upgrade the AN/TPN-24 transceivers.

The Air Force is asking Northrop Grumman to make supportability improvements to the Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems (ATCALS) RT-1087 R/T receiver/transmitter in the AN/TPN-24 airport surveillance radar. The amount of the contract has yet to be negotiated.

Northrop Grumman radar engineers also will develop a long-term supportability plan for the RT-1087, including a technical data package (TDP), as well as prototype of replacement parts to upgrade the AN/TPN-24 radar system such that the Air Force can maintain and upgrade it easily and affordably in the future.

The AN/TPN-24 was designed originally as a highly mobile, tactical radar system. Later a fixed site variant, a tower-mounted model called the ASR-910, and a semi-static ASR-909 version were developed. The antenna and transceiver units are identical to those of the AN/TPN-24 in new version.

The AN/TPN-24 has two receiver and transmitter units and operates in the E-band of 2 to 3 GHz. The radar has a power Output of 450 kilowatts and a pulse width of one microsecond. The radar system has a range of 60 miles.

Although Air Force officials say they plan to award a sole-source contract to Northrop Grumman based on market research, they will look at proposals from other companies. Those interested should respond no later than 25 June by e-mail to the Air Force's Angel Taylor at [email protected].

More information on making a competing bid is online at https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USAF/AFMC/OCALCCC/FA8119-12-R-0032/listing.html.

For additional information contact Northrop Grumman Technical Services online at www.ts.northropgrumman.com, or the Air Force Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center at www.tinker.af.mil.

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