Difference between revisions of "Mk.X"

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(A page for the AI Mk. X radar (used on Sea Venom & P-61). Article layout is modified from weapons page layout.)
 
(→‎General info / usage: Reformatted)
 
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__TOC__
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== Description ==
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<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the radar and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this radar in the game.'' -->
  
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==Description==
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The '''AI Mk. X''' or '''Airborne Interception radar, Mark X''' is a British [[Airborne Radars|airborne target detection (search) radar]]. The AI Mk. X is the British version of the American '''Signal Corps Radio model 720''' or '''SCR-720''' radar, and in-game specific British and American aircraft utilise it.
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<!-- Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the radar and also about its features. Make an air or ground vehicles list on which this radar is installed in our game. -->
 
  
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The '''AI Mk. X''' or '''Airborne Interception radar, Mark X''' is a British [[Airborne Radars|airborne target detection (search) radar]]. It is a British version of the American SCR-720 radar and in game is found on British and American aircraft.
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=== Vehicles equipped with this radar ===
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<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the radar.'' -->
  
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===Vehicles equipped with this radar===
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* {{Specs-Link|p-61a_1}}
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<!-- List out vehicles that are equipped with the radar. -->
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* {{Specs-Link|p-61c_1}}
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* [[Sea Venom FAW 20]]
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* {{Specs-Link|meteor_nfmk13}}
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* [[P-61A-1]]
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* {{Specs-Link|sea_venom_faw20}}
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* [[P-61C-1]]
 
  
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==General info / usage==
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== General info / usage ==
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<!-- Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the radar. Describe its distinctive features, tactics of usage against the main opponents. -->
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<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the radar. Describe its distinctive features and tactics of usage against the main opponents.'' -->
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Being only a target detection radar the AI Mk. X cannot track targets or provide a firing lead indicator. However it has a respectable detection range of up to 14,000 m and a rapid scanning speed taking only approximately 0.17 seconds to complete a scan.
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[[File:P-61_-_Nose_Radar.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A front view of an [[P-61C-1|P-61]] with an {{PAGENAME}} radar.]]
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Being only a target detection radar the AI Mk. X cannot track targets or provide a firing lead indicator. However, it has an acceptable detection range of up to 14,000 m and a rapid scanning speed completing a sweep in approximately 0.17 seconds (5.8 sweeps per second).
  
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! colspan="4" | General Characteristics
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! colspan="7" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
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! {{Annotation|Maximum<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
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! Band !! Pulse mode !! {{Annotation|PD|Pulse-Doppler}} mode !! {{Annotation|MTI|Moving target indication}} mode !! {{Annotation|IRST|Infrared search and track}} mode !! {{Annotation|TWS|Track-while-Scan}} mode !! {{Annotation|SARH|Able to guide semi-active radar-homing missiles}}
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! {{Annotation|Guaranteed<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The range, below which, detection of a target is practically guaranteed}}
 
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! {{Annotation|Minimum<br/>Detection<br/>Range|The range below which targets cannot be detected by the radar}}
 
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! {{Annotation|Range Settings|The available range scale settings of the radar}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
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| 14,000 m || 8,500 m || 150 m || 3 km, 9 km, 18km
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| F || ✓ || X || X || X || X || X
 
|-
 
|-
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! colspan="4" | Search Modes
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|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! colspan="7" | Search characteristics
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|-
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! Mode
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! {{Annotation|Max range|The maximum possible range at which a target can be detected}}
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! {{Annotation|Display ranges|The available range scale settings of the radar}}
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! {{Annotation|IFF|Identification friend or foe}}
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|-
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| SRC || 14 km || 4 km, 9 km, 19 km || X
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|-
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|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! colspan="7" | Search modes
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|-
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! Mode
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! Scan type
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! {{Annotation|Azimuth|How far to each side the radar scans}}
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! {{Annotation|Elevation|How far up and down the radar scans}}
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! {{Annotation|Period|The time taken to complete one scan (the scan bar moving from one edge of the scan sector to the other)}}
 
|-
 
|-
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! {{Annotation|Search Mode|The search mode of the radar (some radars have multiple search modes with different characteristics)}}
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! rowspan="3" | SRC
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! {{Annotation|Azimuth Scan<br/>Angle|How far to each side the radar can scan}}
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| Two-way raster || ±75° || -10°/+20° || 2 s
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! {{Annotation|Elevation Scan<br/>Angle|How far up and down the radar can scan}}
 
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! {{Annotation|Scan Time|The time taken to complete one scan (the scan bar moving from one edge of the radar display to the other)}}
 
 
|-
 
|-
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| Default || ±75° || -20°/+40° || 0.17s
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| Two-way raster || ±75° || -25°/+35° || 4 s
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|-
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| Two-way raster || ±75° || -2.5°/+12.5° || 1 s
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
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===Comparison with analogues===
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=== Comparison with analogues ===
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<!-- Give a comparative description of similar or related radars. -->
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<!-- ''Give a comparative description of similar or related radars.'' -->
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Compared to war time radars like the German FuG 202 and FuG 220 the AI Mk. X has a much wider scanning arc and better range; however does not update instantly, unlike German radars. Compared to the post war Allied AN/APS-21 search radar the AI Mk. X has inferior range and scanning angles, but scans much faster.
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[[File:P-61_cockpit_pilots_radar_indicator.png|250px|thumb|right|A view of a BC-1152-A pilots indicator portion of the {{PAGENAME}} radar in the cockpit of a [[P-61C-1|P-61]]. (''The BC-1152-A is the square box with the rectangular window just above the control yoke'')]]
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Compared to wartime radars like the German FuG 202 and FuG 220 the AI Mk. X has a much wider scanning arc and better range; however does not update instantly, unlike German radars. Compared to the post-war Allied AN/APS-21 search radar, the AI Mk. X has an inferior range and narrower scanning angles but scans much faster.
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{| class="wikitable sortable"
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! colspan="8" | Comparable airborne radar units to {{PAGENAME}}
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|-
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! colspan="1" |
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! colspan="1" | Name
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! colspan="1" | Min Range
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! colspan="1" | Accurate Range
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! colspan="1" | Max Range
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! colspan="1" | Azimuth Angle
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! colspan="1" | Elevation Angle
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! colspan="1" | Scan Time
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|-
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|-
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| ▀
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| [[FuG-200]]
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| style="text-align:center;" |200 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |20,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |20,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±30°
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±15°
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| style="text-align:center;" | Instant
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|-
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| ▀
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| [[FuG-202]]
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| style="text-align:center;" |200 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |4,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |4,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±30°
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±30°
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| style="text-align:center;" | Instant
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|-
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| ▀
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| [[FuG-220]]
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| style="text-align:center;" |500 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |5,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |5,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±35°
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| style="text-align:center;" | -55°/+20°
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| style="text-align:center;" | Instant
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|-
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| ▃
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| [[AN/APS-21]]{{Annotation|^|The AN/APS-21 is only listed here for relative comparison of WW II and post war American radar units}}
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| style="text-align:center;" |1,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |28,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" |45,000 m
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±85°
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| style="text-align:center;" | ±16°
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| style="text-align:center;" | 3.00 s
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|-
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|}
  
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===Pros and cons===
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=== Pros and cons ===
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<!-- Summarize and briefly evaluate the radar in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list. -->
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the radar in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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* Respectable 14,000 m max range
 
* Respectable 14,000 m max range
 
* Rapid scanning
 
* Rapid scanning
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'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
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* Inferior range and scanning angles to some high tier radars
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* Inferior range and scanning angles compared to some higher rank radars
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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<!-- Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of this radar. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the radar and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(radar-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. -->
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<!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the radar in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the radar and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Radar-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' -->
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[[File:AI_Mk.X_in_Mosquito.jpg|350px|thumb|right|A view of the BC-1151-A indicator observers unit of an {{PAGENAME}} in the cockpit of a de Havilland Mosquito.]]
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The AI Mk. X (Airborne Interception radar, Mark X) is a British version of the American SCR-720 Radar. The SCR-720 was a development of the SCR-520 radar, which was in turn developed using knowledge gained from the development of the British AI Mk. VIII radar (the first operational microwave-frequency air-to-air radar). The story of the  Airborne Interception (AI) family of radars began in Britain, in late 1935 with the successful testing of the Chain Home system (an early ground-based early warning radar), in which it was proven capable of detecting aircraft at ranges of over 64 km (the range would eventually improve to 160 km). Plans were soon put in place to begin building Chain Home stations along the south coast of England, in preparation for any potential air attack on Britain.
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The AI Mk. X (Airborne Interception radar, Mark X) is a British version of the American SCR-720 Radar. The SCR-720 was a development of the SCR-520 radar, which was in turn developed using the knowledge gained from the development of the British AI Mk. VIII radar (the first operational microwave-frequency air-to-air radar). The story of the  Airborne Interception (AI) family of radars began in Britain, in late 1935 with the successful testing of the Chain Home system (an early ground-based early warning radar), in which it was proven capable of detecting aircraft at ranges of over 64 km (the range would eventually improve to 160 km). Plans were soon put in place to begin building Chain Home stations along the south coast of England, in preparation for any potential air attack on Britain.
  
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The chain home system could detect an aircraft at a maximum accuracy of one mile, but it took time to communicate this information to air-crews, meaning that by the time the information was revived, accuracy would be reduced to 5 miles (due to aircraft moving from the reported position). This would not be a problem for daylight interceptions as pilots could easily spot an aircraft 5 miles away, but would make the radar system much less effective at night. Henry Tizard, who was leading the implementation of Chain Home, began to fear that the radar system might become too effective. He predicted that if the Luftwaffe ever attacked Britain it would lead to them suffering so many losses that they would be forced to switch to night operation, in which case Chain Home would loose it's effectiveness. He raised his concerns and August 1936 a project was started to develop a radar system which could be fitted to aircraft; the plan was that at night Chain Home could guide interceptors to the general area of enemy aircraft, at which point they would switch to using their own radars to find their exact location.
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The chain home system could detect an aircraft at a maximum accuracy of one mile, but it took time to communicate this information to air-crews. The resulting delay between detection and communication to the crews reduced location accuracy to five miles, due to the aircraft moving from the initial reported position. Tracking aircraft would not be a problem for daylight interceptions as fighter pilots could easily spot a plane five miles away, but the reduced accuracy would make the radar system much less effective at night. Henry Tizard, who was leading the implementation of Chain Home, began to fear that the radar system might become too effective. He predicted that if the Luftwaffe ever attacked Britain, it would lead to the Germans suffering enough losses which would force them to switch to nighttime operations, in which case Chain Home would lose its effectiveness. He raised his concerns, and in August 1936 a project was started to develop a radar system which could be fitted onto an aircraft; the plan was that at night Chain Home could guide interceptors to the general area of enemy aircraft, at which point the pilots would switch to using their radars to find the exact location of the enemy aircraft.
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[[File:AI_Mk.X_BC-1152-A_indicator.jpg|250px|thumb|right|A view of the BC-1152-A pilot's unit of an {{PAGENAME}} in the cockpit of a [[P-61C-1|P-61]] fighter.]]
  
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In autumn 1936 the first ever airborne radar system, known as RDF 1.5 was tested, it consisted of a powerful ground based transmitters and a receiver mounted on a Handley Page Heyford biplane bomber. Although capable of detecting aircraft 80 km away the system was deemed unworkable due the need for a large number of ground based transmitters, and having only a very narrow search angle (the transmitter, receiver aircraft and target aircraft needed to be roughly in line with each other). In March 1937 the Heyford was fitted with it's own transmitter, and was able to detect targets a few miles away and in September 1937 an Avro Anson fitted with the radar proved it could be used to detect shipping nearly 10 miles away in poor weather conditions. The rest of 1937 and 1938 was spent refining the radar for ship detection and turning it into a workable system (instead of a battery powered prototype). In 1939, with the prospect of war feeling inevitable focus switched back to detecting aircraft.
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In autumn 1936 the first-ever airborne radar system, known as RDF 1.5 was tested, it consisted of powerful ground-based transmitters and a receiver mounted on a Handley Page Heyford biplane bomber. Although capable of detecting aircraft 80 km away the system was deemed unworkable due to the need for a large number of ground-based transmitters, and having only a very narrow search angle (the transmitter, receiver aircraft and target aircraft needed to be roughly in line with each other). In March 1937, the Heyford was fitted with its transmitter and was able to detect targets a few miles away, and in September 1937 an Avro Anson outfitted with the same radar proved it could be used to identify shipping nearly 10 miles away in poor weather conditions. The rest of 1937 and 1938 refined the radar for ship detection and turning it into a workable system (instead of a battery-powered prototype). In 1939, with the prospect of war becoming inevitable, the focus switched back to detecting aircraft.
  
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Through 1939 Mk.I, Mk.II and Mk.III versions of the Airborne Interception radar were produced and tested in limited service with the RAF. All of them suffered from various problems, most notably a high minimum range,low maximum range, or inadequate scan angles. In May 1940 the Mk IV was tested, it solved all the previous problems with a maximum range of 6 km and a minimum range of only 150 m, a production order of 3,000 units was placed immediately, making the AI Mk. IV world's first airborne radar to enter service. Improved Mk. V, and Mk. VI versions of the radar saw limited RAF service.
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Through 1939, Mk.I, Mk.II and Mk.III versions of the Airborne Interception radar were produced and tested in limited service with the RAF. All of them suffered from various problems, most notably a high minimum range, low maximum range, or inadequate scan angles. In May 1940 the Mk IV was tested, it solved all the previous problems with a maximum range of 6 km, and a minimum range of only 150 m, a production order of 3,000 units were placed immediately, making the AI Mk. IV world's first airborne radar to enter service. Improved Mk. V, and Mk. VI versions of the detector saw limited RAF service.
  
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The next major AI radar to enter service was the AI Mk. VIII. The Mk. VIII was a major redesign compared to the MK. IV. Instead of using static antennas like the Mk. IV the Mk. VIII used a spinning parabolic dish which focused the beam, improving range and reducing clutter. Critically the Mk. VIII was also the worlds first operational airborne radar to operate at microwave frequency, offering much better performance than the Mk. IV which operated on VHF radio frequency. The AI Mk. VIII entered service in 1941.
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The next significant AI radar to enter service was the AI Mk. VIII. The Mk. VIII was almost a complete redesign compared to the MK. IV. Instead of using static antennas like the Mk. IV, instead, the Mk. VIII used a spinning parabolic dish which focused its beam, improving range and reducing clutter. Critically the Mk. VIII was also the worlds first operational airborne radar to operate at microwave frequencies, offering much better performance than the Mk. IV which operated on VHF radio frequencies. The AI Mk. VIII entered service in 1941.
  
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During the development of microwave frequency radars, and the AI Mk. VIII, a prototype was sent to America as part of the Tizard Mission. The Tizzard mission took place in 1940; a delegation of British scientists / engineers traveled to America to share Research and Development achievements. This plan was for American to be given access to British developments (including radar), in exchange for assistance with the war effort (provision of supplies etc.); and to allow America's vast industrial resources to exploit the R&D work completed by the UK, which Britain itself could not fully exploit due to the immediate requirements of war-related production. One of the British Scientists Edward  "Taffy" Bowen remained in the US after the original visit and helped set up the MIT Radiation Laboratory which began developing airborne radars for the United States. Using the information gained from the British prototype, they made "remarkable" progress and soon produced the SCR-520 radar. The SCR-520 was designed for use in the P-70 (a fighter version A-20 Havoc) and P-61.
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During the development of microwave frequency radars, and the AI Mk. VIII, a prototype was sent to America as part of the Tizard Mission. The Tizzard mission took place in 1940; a delegation of British scientists/engineers travelled to America to share Research and Development achievements. This plan was for American to be given access to British developments (including radar), in exchange for assistance with the war effort (provision of supplies etc.); and to allow America's vast industrial resources to exploit the R&D work completed by the UK, which Britain itself could not fully utilize due to the immediate requirements of war-related production. One of the British Scientists Edward  "Taffy" Bowen remained in the US after the original visit and helped set up the MIT Radiation Laboratory which began developing airborne radars for the United States. Using the information gained from the British prototype, they made "remarkable" progress and soon produced the SCR-520 radar. The P-70 (a fighter aircraft version of the A-20 Havoc) and P-61 were the first two American aircraft outfitted with the primary SCR-520 radars.
  
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After the development of the AI Mk. VIII development of a new radar the AI Mk. IX began. The Mk. IX would offer better performance than the MK. VIII and would have new features including target tracking. However during a test flight on On 23 December 1942 the Beaufighter carrying the only radar prototype and Arthur Downing (the radar's lead developer) was attacked in a friendly fire incident, after being mistaken by two spitfires for a German aircraft. The Beaufighter crashed into the sea, killing Downing and destroying the prototype. The loss of Downing and the radar prototype caused a significant delay in the British radar program. Around the same time in December 1942 the American Western Electric company (which had received the contract for production of American airborne radars) provided Britain with an example of the new SCR-720 radar. It was an improved and significantly lighted SCR-520, which would fit inside British aircraft (unlike the SCR-520). With their own radar program delayed British engineers passed a number of minor suggestions and upgrades to Western Electric, resulting in the SCR-720B. Britain placed an order for 2,900 SCR-720Bs under the name AI Mk. X. The AI Mk X entered service with the RAF in August 1943, fitted on night fighter versions of the Mosquito (and later on other aircraft).
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After the implementation of the AI Mk. VIII development of a new radar the AI Mk. IX began. The Mk. IX would offer better performance than the MK. VIII and would have new features including target tracking. However, during a test flight on On 23 December 1942, the Beaufighter carrying the only radar prototype and Arthur Downing (the radar's lead developer) was attacked in a friendly fire incident, after being mistaken by two Spitfires for a German aircraft. The Beaufighter crashed into the sea, killing Downing and destroying the prototype. The loss of Downing and the radar prototype caused a significant delay in the British radar program. Around the same time in December 1942 the American Western Electric company (which had received the contract for production of American airborne radars) provided Britain with an example of the new SCR-720 radar. It was an improved and significantly lighted SCR-520, which would fit inside British aircraft (unlike the SCR-520). With their radar program delayed, British engineers passed some minor suggestions and upgrades to Western Electric, resulting in the SCR-720B. Britain placed an order for 2,900 SCR-720Bs under the name AI Mk. X. The AI Mk X entered service with the RAF in August 1943, fitted on night fighter versions of the Mosquito (and later on other aircraft).
  
 
The AI Mk.X remained in service until 1957, being fitted to night fighter version of the Gloster Meteor and the [[Sea Venom FAW 20]].
 
The AI Mk.X remained in service until 1957, being fitted to night fighter version of the Gloster Meteor and the [[Sea Venom FAW 20]].
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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<!-- Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
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reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
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* ''reference to articles about variants of the radar;''
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references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees. -->
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* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
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* [[Airborne Radars]]
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* ''encyclopedia page on weapon;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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* ''other literature.''-->
 
  
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_Mk._IV_radar Wikipedia - AI Mk. IV radar]
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* [[Wikipedia:AI_Mk._IV_radar|[Wikipedia] AI Mk. IV radar]]
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AI_Mk._VIII_radar Wikipedia - AI Mk. VIII radar]
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* [[Wikipedia:AI_Mk._VIII_radar|[Wikipedia] AI Mk. VIII radar]]
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* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airborne_Interception_radar Wikipedia - Airborne Interception radar]
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* [[Wikipedia:Airborne_Interception_radar|[Wikipedia] Airborne Interception radar]]
  
 
[[Category:Aircraft radars]]
 
[[Category:Aircraft radars]]

Latest revision as of 12:43, 30 September 2023

Description

The AI Mk. X or Airborne Interception radar, Mark X is a British airborne target detection (search) radar. The AI Mk. X is the British version of the American Signal Corps Radio model 720 or SCR-720 radar, and in-game specific British and American aircraft utilise it.

Vehicles equipped with this radar

General info / usage

A front view of an P-61 with an Mk.X radar.

Being only a target detection radar the AI Mk. X cannot track targets or provide a firing lead indicator. However, it has an acceptable detection range of up to 14,000 m and a rapid scanning speed completing a sweep in approximately 0.17 seconds (5.8 sweeps per second).

Features
Band Pulse mode PD mode MTI mode IRST mode TWS mode SARH
F ✓ X X X X X
Search characteristics
Mode Max range Display ranges IFF
SRC 14 km 4 km, 9 km, 19 km X
Search modes
Mode Scan type Azimuth Elevation Period
SRC Two-way raster ±75° -10°/+20° 2 s
Two-way raster ±75° -25°/+35° 4 s
Two-way raster ±75° -2.5°/+12.5° 1 s

Comparison with analogues

A view of a BC-1152-A pilots indicator portion of the Mk.X radar in the cockpit of a P-61. (The BC-1152-A is the square box with the rectangular window just above the control yoke)

Compared to wartime radars like the German FuG 202 and FuG 220 the AI Mk. X has a much wider scanning arc and better range; however does not update instantly, unlike German radars. Compared to the post-war Allied AN/APS-21 search radar, the AI Mk. X has an inferior range and narrower scanning angles but scans much faster.

Comparable airborne radar units to Mk.X
Name Min Range Accurate Range Max Range Azimuth Angle Elevation Angle Scan Time
▀ FuG-200 200 m 20,000 m 20,000 m ±30° ±15° Instant
▀ FuG-202 200 m 4,000 m 4,000 m ±30° ±30° Instant
▀ FuG-220 500 m 5,000 m 5,000 m ±35° -55°/+20° Instant
▃ AN/APS-21^ 1,000 m 28,000 m 45,000 m ±85° ±16° 3.00 s

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Respectable 14,000 m max range
  • Rapid scanning
  • Decent scanning angles

Cons:

  • Inferior range and scanning angles compared to some higher rank radars

History

A view of the BC-1151-A indicator observers unit of an Mk.X in the cockpit of a de Havilland Mosquito.

The AI Mk. X (Airborne Interception radar, Mark X) is a British version of the American SCR-720 Radar. The SCR-720 was a development of the SCR-520 radar, which was in turn developed using the knowledge gained from the development of the British AI Mk. VIII radar (the first operational microwave-frequency air-to-air radar). The story of the Airborne Interception (AI) family of radars began in Britain, in late 1935 with the successful testing of the Chain Home system (an early ground-based early warning radar), in which it was proven capable of detecting aircraft at ranges of over 64 km (the range would eventually improve to 160 km). Plans were soon put in place to begin building Chain Home stations along the south coast of England, in preparation for any potential air attack on Britain.

The chain home system could detect an aircraft at a maximum accuracy of one mile, but it took time to communicate this information to air-crews. The resulting delay between detection and communication to the crews reduced location accuracy to five miles, due to the aircraft moving from the initial reported position. Tracking aircraft would not be a problem for daylight interceptions as fighter pilots could easily spot a plane five miles away, but the reduced accuracy would make the radar system much less effective at night. Henry Tizard, who was leading the implementation of Chain Home, began to fear that the radar system might become too effective. He predicted that if the Luftwaffe ever attacked Britain, it would lead to the Germans suffering enough losses which would force them to switch to nighttime operations, in which case Chain Home would lose its effectiveness. He raised his concerns, and in August 1936 a project was started to develop a radar system which could be fitted onto an aircraft; the plan was that at night Chain Home could guide interceptors to the general area of enemy aircraft, at which point the pilots would switch to using their radars to find the exact location of the enemy aircraft.

A view of the BC-1152-A pilot's unit of an Mk.X in the cockpit of a P-61 fighter.

In autumn 1936 the first-ever airborne radar system, known as RDF 1.5 was tested, it consisted of powerful ground-based transmitters and a receiver mounted on a Handley Page Heyford biplane bomber. Although capable of detecting aircraft 80 km away the system was deemed unworkable due to the need for a large number of ground-based transmitters, and having only a very narrow search angle (the transmitter, receiver aircraft and target aircraft needed to be roughly in line with each other). In March 1937, the Heyford was fitted with its transmitter and was able to detect targets a few miles away, and in September 1937 an Avro Anson outfitted with the same radar proved it could be used to identify shipping nearly 10 miles away in poor weather conditions. The rest of 1937 and 1938 refined the radar for ship detection and turning it into a workable system (instead of a battery-powered prototype). In 1939, with the prospect of war becoming inevitable, the focus switched back to detecting aircraft.

Through 1939, Mk.I, Mk.II and Mk.III versions of the Airborne Interception radar were produced and tested in limited service with the RAF. All of them suffered from various problems, most notably a high minimum range, low maximum range, or inadequate scan angles. In May 1940 the Mk IV was tested, it solved all the previous problems with a maximum range of 6 km, and a minimum range of only 150 m, a production order of 3,000 units were placed immediately, making the AI Mk. IV world's first airborne radar to enter service. Improved Mk. V, and Mk. VI versions of the detector saw limited RAF service.

The next significant AI radar to enter service was the AI Mk. VIII. The Mk. VIII was almost a complete redesign compared to the MK. IV. Instead of using static antennas like the Mk. IV, instead, the Mk. VIII used a spinning parabolic dish which focused its beam, improving range and reducing clutter. Critically the Mk. VIII was also the worlds first operational airborne radar to operate at microwave frequencies, offering much better performance than the Mk. IV which operated on VHF radio frequencies. The AI Mk. VIII entered service in 1941.

During the development of microwave frequency radars, and the AI Mk. VIII, a prototype was sent to America as part of the Tizard Mission. The Tizzard mission took place in 1940; a delegation of British scientists/engineers travelled to America to share Research and Development achievements. This plan was for American to be given access to British developments (including radar), in exchange for assistance with the war effort (provision of supplies etc.); and to allow America's vast industrial resources to exploit the R&D work completed by the UK, which Britain itself could not fully utilize due to the immediate requirements of war-related production. One of the British Scientists Edward "Taffy" Bowen remained in the US after the original visit and helped set up the MIT Radiation Laboratory which began developing airborne radars for the United States. Using the information gained from the British prototype, they made "remarkable" progress and soon produced the SCR-520 radar. The P-70 (a fighter aircraft version of the A-20 Havoc) and P-61 were the first two American aircraft outfitted with the primary SCR-520 radars.

After the implementation of the AI Mk. VIII development of a new radar the AI Mk. IX began. The Mk. IX would offer better performance than the MK. VIII and would have new features including target tracking. However, during a test flight on On 23 December 1942, the Beaufighter carrying the only radar prototype and Arthur Downing (the radar's lead developer) was attacked in a friendly fire incident, after being mistaken by two Spitfires for a German aircraft. The Beaufighter crashed into the sea, killing Downing and destroying the prototype. The loss of Downing and the radar prototype caused a significant delay in the British radar program. Around the same time in December 1942 the American Western Electric company (which had received the contract for production of American airborne radars) provided Britain with an example of the new SCR-720 radar. It was an improved and significantly lighted SCR-520, which would fit inside British aircraft (unlike the SCR-520). With their radar program delayed, British engineers passed some minor suggestions and upgrades to Western Electric, resulting in the SCR-720B. Britain placed an order for 2,900 SCR-720Bs under the name AI Mk. X. The AI Mk X entered service with the RAF in August 1943, fitted on night fighter versions of the Mosquito (and later on other aircraft).

The AI Mk.X remained in service until 1957, being fitted to night fighter version of the Gloster Meteor and the Sea Venom FAW 20.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to articles about variants of the radar;
  • references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

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