JSTARS
Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics

Figure 1: Northrop Grumman E-8 JSTARS
Specifications | |
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frequency: | X-Band |
pulse repetition time (PRT): | |
pulse repetition frequency (PRF): | |
pulsewidth (τ): | |
receiving time: | |
dead time: | |
peak power: | |
average power: | |
instrumented range: | 124 NM (≙ 230 km) |
range resolution: | |
accuracy: | |
beamwidth: | |
hits per scan: | |
antenna rotation: | |
MTBCF: | |
MTTR: |
JSTARS
The AN/APY-3(V) JSTARS Radar (Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar) is a high performance, operating in X-Band side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) designed to detect, locate, and classify ground targets.
The passive phased array antenna is located in a 26-foot radome mounted under the forward fuselage of the aircraft. It is divided into three 8-foot sections. The antenna can be tilted for a 120 degree to either side of the plane.
The radar is a developement of the 1970s. It got an enhanced update in 2005. The improved APY-3 was renamend to AN/APY-7 and it is a solid state version that adopts active electronically scanned array technology. No further development took place because the use of unmanned surveillance drones with smaller, lighter radars was more effective.