SK radar
SK was an American made air-search radar used during World War II by the United States Navy. Variations include SK-1, SK-2 and SK-3.[1]
_1944.jpg.webp) SK-1 aboard USS Long Island | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | General Electric |
| Introduced | 1944 |
| Type | Air-search radar |
| Frequency | VHF band |
| Beamwidth | 10° |
| Pulsewidth | 5 μs |
| Range | 160.9 km (86.9 nmi) |
| Azimuth | ± 3 ° |
| Precision | ± 100 yd |
| Power | 3500 kW |
Overview
Long wave search set for large ships. Furnishes range and bearing of surface vessels and aircraft, and can be used for control of interception. Set has both "A" and PPI scopes, provisions for operating with remote PPI's and for IFF connections, and built-in BL and BI antennas.[2]
Reliable maximum range, with antenna at 100', is 100 miles on medium bombers at 1,000' altitude. Range accuracy is ± 100 yards. Azimuth accuracy, ± 3°. There is no elevation control, but elevation can be estimated roughly from positions of maximum, and minimum signal strength.[2]
Shipment includes spares, with tubes for 400 hours, and separate generator if ship's power is DC. Not air transportable.
SK has 10 components weighing approximately 5000 lbs. Heaviest unit (2400 lbs.) is the antenna assembly. Antenna measures 15' x 16'9". Antenna should be 100 ft. or more above water. Minimum operators required are one per shift. Primary power required is 3500 watts, 115 volts, 60 cycles. Source of power is ship's power of 115 volts, 60 cycles.[2]
During the later stages of the war, a parabolic antenna called SK-2 would then replace the SK-1.[3]
Onboard ships
United States
United States- Midway-class aircraft carrier
SK-2 aboard USS Coral Sea - Essex-class aircraft carrier
- Independence-class aircraft carrier
- USS Enterprise (CV-6)
- USS Saratoga (CV-3)
- Casablanca-class escort carrier
- Bogue-class escort carrier
- Iowa-class battleship
_at_anchor_in_1944.jpeg.webp)
SK-1 aboard USS Honolulu - South Dakota-class battleship
- North Carolina-class battleship
- Colorado-class battleship
- Tennessee-class battleship
- USS Pennsylvania (BB-38)
- Nevada-class battleship
_steaming_off_Portland%252C_Maine_(USA)%252C_on_9_May_1945_(NH_97932).jpg.webp)
SK-1 aboard USS Augusta - New York-class battleship
- USS Arkansas (BB-33)
- Alaska-class cruiser
- Des Moines-class cruiser
- Oregon City-class cruiser
- Baltimore-class cruiser
- USS Wichita (CA-45)
- Fargo-class cruiser
- Cleveland-class cruiser
- New Orleans-class cruiser
- Brooklyn-class cruiser
- Portland-class cruiser
- Northampton-class cruiser
- Pensacola-class cruiser
- Omaha-class cruiser
- Currituck-class seaplane tender
- Appalachian-class command ship
- Mount McKinley-class command ship
United Kingdom
United KingdomGallery
SK-1 aboard HMS Trumpeter
SK-1 aboard USS Texas_underway_in_the_Central_Pacific_on_2_May_1944.jpg.webp)
SK-1 aboard USS Wichita.jpg.webp)
SK-2 aboard USS Alabama_underway_off_the_Philadelphia_Navy_Yard_on_29_October_1946.jpg.webp)
SK-2 aboard USS Macon_in_1952.jpg.webp)
SK-3 aboard USS Princeton
Citations
- Robert, Buderi (1998). The Invention That Changed the World: How a Small Group of Radar Pioneers Won the Second World War and Launched a Technical Revolution. Touchstone. ISBN 0684835290.
- "US Radar: Operational Characteristics of Radar Classified by Tactical Application". public2.nhhcaws.local. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
- "Radar Equipment of World War II". NavWeaps.
References
- Norman Friedman (2006). The Naval Institute Guide to World Naval Weapon Systems. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-55750-262-9
- Buderi, Robert (1998). The Invention That Changed the World: How a Small Group of Radar Pioneers Won the Second World War and Launched a Technical Revolution. Touchstone. ISBN 0-684-83529-0
- Hezlet, Arthur (1975). Electronics and Sea Power. New York: Stein and Day. ISBN 0-8128-1811-3