AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) and ADCAP Multi-Mode Radar (MMR)

Long Range Air Surveillance Radars

radar mounted on vehicle

Proven design for performance, reliability and survivability

The AN/TPS-78 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) & ADCAP Multi-Mode radars are the next generation advanced air surveillance radar made possible by advances in high power transistor design.

Supported by Northrop Grumman’s more than 60 years of experience in building high-performance radars, the long-range AN/ TPS-78 ADCAP family of radars are fielded and operationally proven by the U.S. Air Force and customers worldwide. 

The AN/TPS-78 ADCAPTM includes an advanced small target UAS and Maritime tracking subsystem with integrated automatic detection and tracking. Its purpose is to detect and track all slow air and maritime moving targets within the system volume of coverage by providing advanced track initiation and continuity algorithms and reduced false track rates.

The AN/TPS-78 ADCAPTM MMR is a long-range (240 nmi / 444km) S-Band 3D radar, with both  a 10 second and a 5 second  scan rate  that is well suited for both Ground Control Intercept Mission requiring faster target update rates as well as long range air surveillance including Tactical Ballistic Missile (TBM) tracking. 

long-range radar mounted on vehicle

AN/TPS-78 ADCAP & ADCAP Multi-Mode Radar

  • Currently "in production" with over 75 units produced and fielded
  • High reliability with SiGe Solid-State Transmitter
  • Modern COTS Signal and Data Processors
  • High  Mobility for Survivability
  • Lowest Sidelobe Antenna Array available today for operation in hostile environments
  • Flexible interface for interface to multiple C2 systems
long-range radar mounted on vehicle

Stacked beam full coverage detection and tracking

Incorporating S-Band technology, the AN/TPS-78 ADCAP & ADCAP MMR are not affected by bandwidth interference encroachment affecting L-Band radars. They also incorporate a more efficient small cell dynamic adaptive Doppler filtering.

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.

The radars contain waveforms and processing to deal with anomalous propagation “ducting” environments and complex “wind farm” environments, developed from years of in-field experience.

long-range radar mounted on vehicle

Unrivaled mobility: S-band provides compact system size

In addition to the antenna, all electronics, including the transmitter, are packaged in a 14 foot (4.3 m) ISO shelter that can be transported in a single C-130 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.

long-range radar mounted on vehicle

Designed for reliability and maintainability

In addition to the antenna, all electronics, including the transmitter, are packaged in a 14 foot (4.3 m) ISO shelter that can be transported in a single C-130 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.

Low-cost logistic supportability

The modular design of the AN/TPS-78 ADCAP family of systems drastically reduces the number and types of line replaceable units (LRU). The systems are highly reliable and maintainable with a demonstrated MTBCF of more than 3,000 hours and a MTTR of less than 30 minutes.

In the News

IDEX 2023: SIGN4L unveils new mobile C-UAS solution

Contact Us