AN/MPN

The AN/MPN is a mobile Ground-controlled approach radar first used during WWII. "MPN" is Joint Electronics Type Designation System nomenclature for Ground mobile (M), Radar (P), Navigation aid (N).

Variations

• AN/MPN-1 was used to assist the process of directing aircraft over a predetermined glide path for safe approach to an airdrome runway under conditions approaching zero visibility. A V-8 truck contains the system's two PE-127 power units (rated output of each 7.5-KW), one air conditioner unit, and equipment spare parts. The V-2 trailer contains the system's radar and communications sets. The radar provides range and azimuth information on aircraft within a radius of 30 miles (48 km) with an operational ceiling of 4,000 feet (1,200 m). Communications were provided by the SCR-274 transmitter, and BC-342 receivers.

AN/MPN-1 radar, 1944

• AN/MPN-2 was a mobile radar beacon which provided navigational aid and homing facilities for aircraft. Its major components, AN/CPN-6, and AN/CPN-8, were mounted in a trailer van.
• AN/MPN-3 is similar to the MPN-1A except that it had single, rather than dual radar sets for each channel, improved mobility because of decreased weight, fewer communications channels, and reduced number of personnel.
• AN/MPN-5
• AN/MPN-8
• AN/MPN-11
• AN/MPN-14 Mobile Ground Approach System can be configured as a complete Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) or Ground Controlled Approach (GCA) facility. The radar unit is used by air traffic controllers to identify, sequence, and separate participating aircraft, provide final approach guidance through air defense corridors and zones, and coordinate ID and intent with local air defense units at assigned airports and air bases. These services can be provided in all types of weather. It is capable of identifying aircraft using secondary radar up to a 200-nautical-mile (370 km) radius and primary radar coverage to 60 nautical miles (110 km). The PAR provides both azimuth and elevation information from 15-nautical-mile (28 km) to touchdown. Both the PAR and ASR can be used as final approach aids. The unit has three ASR display indicators and one PAR indicator located in the operations shelter, and one each ASR and PAR indicator located in the maintenance shelter. Complete operations are conducted from the operations trailer. The system is limited to a single runway but has the capability of providing opposite direction runway operations with the aid of a transportable turntable.
• AN/MPN-14K Mobile Ground Approach System
• AN/MPN-25
• AN/MPN-26

Earlier radars included the AN-FPN-36 "Quad Radar," a compact and portable system that could function as either an airport surveillance radar, GCA radar, non-precision ASR approach radar, or airport surface detection equipment, and the AN-CPN-4, a larger, more modern and precise system that provided those functions. The AN/MPN-26 program has been cancelled in 2008.

See also

• List of U.S. Signal Corps vehicles
• Joint Electronics Type Designation System
• Rebecca/Eureka transponding radar
• Precision approach radar
• LORAN

References

• TM 11-1343 AN/MPN-1 technical operations manual dated July 1944
• TM 11-487-C1 military standardization handbook dated 1965

External links

• http://rfcafe.com/miscellany/kirt-radar.htm
• http://www.footnote.com/image/55724004/#55723958 MPN-1 interior
• http://www.footnote.com/image/#29024694 exterior
• http://books.google.com/books?id=FHi5wRMtQ2QC&pg=PA147&dq=AN/MPN-1+RADAR&as_brr=3&ei=epaUSbbSJ4uYMobf8KQJ
• http://books.google.com/books?id=wpFMWeLmp4cC&pg=PA193&dq=AN/MPN-1+RADAR&ei=c4yUSY2wIpbAM8ig9aQJ#PPA193,M1
• http://www.mobileradar.org/radar_descptn_1.html#mpn_1
• http://www.hem-usa.org/
• http://www.tpub.com/content/radar/TM-11-487C-1/index.htm
• http://www.ncchar.ang.af.mil/235th/equipment.htm
• http://www.rpm-psi.com/applications/air/
• http://home.comcast.net/~k6df/radar.html MPN-11
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2002/08/mil-020821-usaf02.htm mpn-25