The Emerson Electric AN/APQ-153 was an I band radar system developed for the Northrop F-5E fighter aircraft. Required to fit into the tight confines of the originally radar-less F-5, the system offered relatively simple air-to-air modes and a short detection range. The AN/APQ-157 was a similar system with dual displays and controls for the twin-seat F-5F trainer. Many of the F-5s still flying have been upgraded to the improved AN/APQ-159. The APQ-153 was a relatively simple Pulse-Doppler radar intended to improve gunnery on the F-5. It offered four modes of operation; AA1 and AA2 air-to-air target search at different ranges, "dogfight" which locked onto the closest target and offered ranging and gun cueing, and finally a missile bore-sight cueing mode that calculated the engagement envelope of the AIM-9 Sidewinder and gave the pilot directional cues to help them fly into the envelope. The antenna was necessarily small, a 12 by 16 inches (30 cm × 41 cm) parabolic dish that was stabilized to account for maneuvering. This was connected to a small 5-inch (13 cm) B-Scope display in the cockpit. In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/APQ-153" designation represents the 153rd design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar special equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
See also
List of radars List of military electronics of the United States
References
External links Jane's - AN/APQ-153/-157 fire-control radars (United States) - Archived