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AN/FPS-35 Radar

The Frequency Diversity Radar program was a major radar developmental program at Air Force Rome Air Development Center [RADC]. Some of the prototypes developed as part of it included the AN/FPS-35 long-range search radar. This equipment was designed to succeed existing Semi-Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) radar systems, which had served as the backbone of air defense of the CONUS, in order to provide enhanced electronic counter countermeasures (ECCM) capability. This Sperry-built system was designed to operate at 420 to 450 MHz. It was first deployed in December 1960, but problems hampered the program. Four of these units were operational in 1962. Eventually twelve (12) AN/FPS-35 radars would become operational in the US. The system suffered frequent bearing problems as the antenna weighed seventy tons.

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