P-15
Description of the radar set, tactical-technical characteristics
Figure 1: “Flat Face” (in the background you can see the “Spoon Rest D”)
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| frequency: | 830 … 882 MHz |
| pulse repetition time (PRT): | 2 to 4 ms |
| pulse repetition frequency (PRF): | 500 to 680 pps |
| pulsewidth (τ): | 2 µs |
| receiving time: | |
| dead time: | |
| peak power: | 270 … 390 kW |
| average power: | 270 W |
| instrumented range: | 200 km |
| range resolution: | 300 m |
| accuracy: | |
| beamwidth: | 8° |
| hits per scan: | > 15 |
| antenna rotation: | 6 rpm. |
| MTBCF: | |
| MTTR: | |
P-15
The P-15 (NATO designation: “Flat Face A”) is a radar specially designed against low-flying aircraft. It was included in the armament of the Soviet armed forces in 1956. Several replicas exist but with different designations: 1RL13 and 1RL114. The Russian code names were “Tropa” («Тропа»), “Dozor” («Дозор»), and “Dshigit” («Джигит»).
The P-15 was a quickly deployable radar (setup time: 10 min!) and used as a mobile gap-filler. Both antenna reflectors are fed either in-phase or anti-phase to change the directivity pattern. Nevertheless, this radar station reached no targets flying higher than 5 km.
As additional equipment, this radar station received a special antenna on a mast up to 50 m high, designated AMU-30 or AMU-50 (number corresponds to mast height). This height reduced the maximum altitude in the detection range, but the antenna pattern became closer to the ground. The radar was able to locate even extremely low-flying aircraft now. For this configuration, NATO gave the code name “Squad Eye”.