AN/FPS-28



source: http://www.whshistoryproject.org/1950s/images/images_nike/hsradar59.jpg

The AN/FPS-28 search radar was a VHF (410 to 690 MHz) frequency-diverse, high-power, long-range search radar developed in 1958-1959 by the Raytheon Corporation under contract to the U.S. Air Force. The prototype AN/FPS-28 radar was installed at Houma Naval Air Station (later `Air Force Station`), Louisiana, for field evaluation and testing. U.S. Air Force officials subsequently concluded that the AN/FPS-28 was one of the most complex, if not THE most complex, radar system ever built for the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force cancelled the AN/FPS-28 procurement program during Phase I development, leaving the prototype AN/FPS-28 radar set at Houma AFS (M-126) as the only one of its kind. The early cancellation resulted in unfinished documentation by the contractor; the lack of complete documentation led to significant problems later on in operating/maintaining the radar set, in training radar technicians, and in procuring spare parts (as many components in the AN/FPS-28 were unique and built special for this one-of-a-kind radar). These problems were not trivial for such a complex system, and no doubt led to the AN/FPS-28 radar`s early deactivation (which took place in May 1965, according to the 657th Radar Squadron welcome brochure). .

A second AN/FPS-28 site was originally planned at CFS Yorkton, SK, Canada (1960-1961), but the project was not completed. For technical reasons, it was decided to replace the AN/FPS-28 with the AN/FPS-7C search radar. (Reference: /museum/documents/misc7c.html).


The AN/FPS-28 tower is seen in the center of this aerial photo of Houma AFS.


A class assembles on the FPS-28 tower. This gives a good size perspective.


Workers in the FPS-28 electronics.


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Scientific American, December 1959