The Egyptian government is looking to buy AN/TPS-78 long range radar systems from Northrop Grumman in a deal worth $304 million.
Also requested by Egypt were KIV-78 cryptographic devices; Global Positioning System (GPS) devices with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Modules (SAASM); spares and equipment.
US Congress was notified of the possible sale on 4 February. The Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the radars would improve Egypt’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its ability to detect various air threats.
According to Northrop Grumman, the S-band AN/TPS-78 multi-mode radar is a next generation design with a range of 440 km. It has a 10 second and a 5 second scan rate “that is well suited for both Ground Control Intercept Missions requiring faster target update rates as well as long range air surveillance including Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) tracking.”
The AN/ TPS-78 family of radars are fielded and operationally proven by the US Air Force and customers worldwide, the company said, adding that over 75 units have been produced and fielded.
“The stacked beam architecture used in the radars allow for superior performance in ground clutter, rain and chaff. With the ability to simultaneously detect high altitude and low altitude targets in heavy ground and sea clutter, the six full-time beams also provide time energy management to detect targets at all velocities with no dim speeds,” Northrop Grumman stated.
In addition to the antenna, all electronics, including the transmitter, are packaged in a 14 foot (4.3 metre) ISO shelter that can be transported in a single C-130 Hercules aircraft or helicopter and be deployed by a team of four in less than 30 minutes. A highly mobile version is also available that is fully integrated on a single all-wheel drive vehicle.
