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Large Phased-Array Radar LPAR

Xuanhua 26°37'18"N  107°41'53"E 
Xuanhua 40°36'20"N  115°02'47"E
 

An integral part of China's missile warning and space tracking network includes large phased array radars (LPAR). At least one radar, near Xuanhua positioned on a mountain slope at 1,600 meter elevation near Xuanhua, is believed to be manned by Second Artillery forces.

In 1994 it was reported that phased-array radar has been deployed to provide warning regarding possible Russian attack. A 1988 analysis of Chinese strategic force development noted that "A very large phased-array radar system, constructed in West China, is probably the first step in establishing a ballistic missile early warning system (BMEWS) - necessary for a launch-on-warning capability." As early as 1986 reports suggested the possible deployment of at least one LPAR in the vicinity of Datong or Harbin, though no locale was specified.

Chinese work on LPARs began in 1970. They were intended to catalogue space targets and provide for early warning of missile attacks.The MEI’s 14th Institute, located in Nanjing, is China’s leading organization for phased array radar development. A number of Chinese technical papers have appeared in Western publications concerning phased array radar operations, but open sources are extremely vague on the details of Chinese LPAR developments.

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http://www.fas.org/nuke/guide/china/facility/lpar.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Saturday, June 03, 2000 5:51:05 PM