Saab to build three AN/SPN-50(V) 1 shipboard radar systems for air traffic control (ATC) aboard carriers
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy shipboard surveillance experts needed AN/SPN-50(V) 1 shipboard air traffic control (ATC) radar systems to replace the Navy’s AN/SPN-43C radar aboard aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. They found their solution from Saab Inc. in East Syracuse, N.Y.
Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced a $47.5 million order to Saab in December for three AN/SPN-50(V) 1 shipboard air traffic radar systems for aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
The AN/SPN-50(V) 1 radar enables shipboard air traffic controllers to identify, marshal, and direct aircraft within a 50-nautical-mile radius of the ship. The order includes two on-board repair kits, and two depot spares kits.
The order exercises an option to procure three AN/SPN-50(V)1 low-rate initial production radar systems, one installation and check-out kit, three onboard repair parts kits, and one depot kit, in support of new ATC surveillance radars, and interim sustainment requirements.
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The SPN-50(V)1 is the primary ATC surveillance radar system for Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, landing helicopter assault (LHA), and landing helicopter dock (LHD) amphibious assault ships.
In recent years, the top 25 percent of the AN/SPN-43C frequency band has been reallocated to the fixed wireless access community prohibiting ATC and air search radar operation within 50 nautical miles of the coast, Navy officials say.
The AN/SPN-50(V)1 radar is one of the U.S. versions of Saab’s Sea Giraffe agile multi beam radar, functions as the primary ATC surveillance radar for manned and unmanned aviation aboard the Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and large-deck amphibious assault ships.
On this order Saab will do the work in Syracuse, N.Y., and should be finished by March 2026. For more information contact Saab Inc. online at www.saab.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.
John Keller | Editor
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.
