Type 79 radar
Encyclopedia
The Type 79 radar was a British naval early warning radar
developed before World War II
. It was the first radar system deployed by the Royal Navy
.
The first version of this radar, Type 79X, was mounted on the RN Signal School's tender, the minesweeper
, in October 1936. This equipment used a frequency of 75 MHz and a wavelength of 4 metres and its antennae were strung between the ship's masts. They detected an aircraft at an altitude of 500 feet (152.4 m) and a range of 17 nautical miles (31.5 km) during tests in July 1937. Improved versions, Type 79Y, were developed the following year that used a frequency of 43 MHz (7 metres). It required separate transmitting and receiving antennae and had a power output between 15 and 20 kW. The first set was installed in September 1938 aboard the light cruiser
and gave detection ranges up to 53 nautical miles (98.2 km) for an aircraft at 10000 foot. A second set was mounted on the battleship
the following month, but it was not tested until January 1939. A more powerful version, Type 79Z, was fitted to the anti-aircraft cruiser in September 1939 and proved to be successful enough that forty more sets were ordered with the designation of Type 79. The antennae were manually rotated, but only enough wire was provided to rotate a maximum of 400°.
Type 79B consolidated the transmitting and receiving antennae into one and its detection range was increased to 90 nautical miles (166.7 km) for an aircraft at 20000 foot. The radar also had a secondary ability to track a surface target at ranges from 2–6 nmi (3.7–11.1 ).
Early warning radar
An early warning radar is any radar system used primarily for the long-range detection of its targets, i.e., allowing defences to be alerted as early as possible before the intruder reaches its target, giving the defences the maximum time in which to operate...
developed before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was the first radar system deployed by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
The first version of this radar, Type 79X, was mounted on the RN Signal School's tender, the minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
, in October 1936. This equipment used a frequency of 75 MHz and a wavelength of 4 metres and its antennae were strung between the ship's masts. They detected an aircraft at an altitude of 500 feet (152.4 m) and a range of 17 nautical miles (31.5 km) during tests in July 1937. Improved versions, Type 79Y, were developed the following year that used a frequency of 43 MHz (7 metres). It required separate transmitting and receiving antennae and had a power output between 15 and 20 kW. The first set was installed in September 1938 aboard the light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
and gave detection ranges up to 53 nautical miles (98.2 km) for an aircraft at 10000 foot. A second set was mounted on the battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
the following month, but it was not tested until January 1939. A more powerful version, Type 79Z, was fitted to the anti-aircraft cruiser in September 1939 and proved to be successful enough that forty more sets were ordered with the designation of Type 79. The antennae were manually rotated, but only enough wire was provided to rotate a maximum of 400°.
Type 79B consolidated the transmitting and receiving antennae into one and its detection range was increased to 90 nautical miles (166.7 km) for an aircraft at 20000 foot. The radar also had a secondary ability to track a surface target at ranges from 2–6 nmi (3.7–11.1 ).