The two rearward AN/SPG-62 fire-control radars aboard JS Kirishima (DDG-174)
| |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Designer | Raytheon |
| Type | Missile fire-control |
| Frequency | 8–12 GHz (I–J Band) |
| Power | 10 kW (average) |
The AN/SPG-62 is a continuous wave fire-control radar developed by the United States, and it is currently deployed on warships equipped with the Aegis Combat System.[1] It provides terminal target illumination for the semi-active SM-2MR/ER and ESSM Block 1 surface-to-air missiles.[2][3] It also provides illumination for the active SM-6 if it is used in semi-active mode. The antenna is mechanically steered,[4] uses a parabolic reflector,[5] and operates at 8 to 12 GHz (I–J Band).[2][1] The system is a component of the Mk 99 fire-control system (FCS).[1]
The first units were installed on the cruiser USS Ticonderoga, which was commissioned in 1983. Since then, the SPG-62 has been placed in service with many U.S. and foreign navy ships that have the Aegis Combat System.
The SPG-62's role in Aegis fire control is to illuminate targets in the terminal interception phase. First, the ship's main search radars—either the AN/SPY-1 or the AN/SPY-6—detect and track the target. The Mk 99 FCS then launches surface-to-air missile(s) to intercept. If the interceptor missile uses semi-active radar homing (SM-2 or ESSM Block 1), it will need an external radar to illuminate its target for terminal guidance, which is where the SPG-62 comes into play. The Mk 99 FCS points an SPG-62 toward the target, and it shoots a narrow radar beam that reflects off the target. The interceptor missile's passive receiver homes in on these reflected emissions.[4]
It uses a very narrow beam of radiofrequency (RF) radiation. This accomplishes four things:
Because illumination is only needed for the last few seconds prior to interception,[4] a ship can have more semi-active SAMs in the air than it has SPG-62s. In the event of a saturation attack, the Aegis Combat System can time-share each AN/SPG-62 to serve multiple semi-active interceptors in the air at once.[6]
