The First Airborne Early Warning Aircraft |
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Facing with Kamikaze threat during 1944 the
United States Navy started the development of an airborne radar system in
order to expand the radar horizon under which the Fleet was to operate during
the series of campaigns through the Philippines and northwards to Japan.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) efforts in developing workable
system led in February 1944 under Project Cadillac to
a prototype system that was built and flown in August on a modified TBM
Avenger torpedo bomber. US Navy introduced A EW at sea, fitting TBF Avenger aircraft with the AN-APS 20 radar, in 1944. This allowed detection of a bomber sized aircraft out to ranges of 100 miles. Development continued and the AN-APS was next fitted into the Douglas Skyraider, that took service with both the USN and the Royal Navy |
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The Avenger had crew of only a pilot and one radar operator.
Radar was controlled on surface ships, transmitting data via a data link
which gave the video image and radar antenna angle to giving Combat Information
Centre (CIC) a tactical picture. Project Cadillac II started in 1944, with
the aim of developing a flying command centre. This led to the development
of the PB-1W (below), one of the B-17 Flying Fortress variants using the same AN/APS-20 radar as
the TBM-3W, but with several operators on board who could steer defending
fighters towards targets via radio. The PB-1W was specifically designed
to counter the Kamikaze threat, operating from land bases in support of
the Fleet at sea. Two B-17's were acquired from the Army Air Forces by the Navy during World War II for test work, and designated PB-1. New surplus B-17G's were acquired after the end of the war and modified for reconnaissance and early warning work as PB-1Ws. Extra fuel tanks and search radar were fitted, with no weapons being carried. These were eventually replaced in this role by the WV-2. The Coast Guard also operated PB-1G variants as long-range search and rescue planes, fitted with a parachute-equipped lifeboat carried externally. A total of 31 aircraft were acquired by the U.S. Navy. more info: http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/b17_19.html |
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The AN/APS-20 radar as fitted to the TBM-3W and PB-1W became
the mainstay of AEW aircraft developments following World War Two. While
not designed specifically as an AEW aircraft, the Grumman
AF-2W Guardian (below), when fitted with the AN/APS-20 had a secondary
capability endowed by this system. Experience with the Guardian led to the development of an AEW variant of the Douglas Skyraider piston engined attack aircraft. Once again the radar chosen was the AN/APS-20, with a large belly radome being fitted and a crew of three (one pilot and two operators) being carried. The Skyraider was built in three versions, the AD-3W, AD-4W (below) and AD-5W (which was later redesignated the EA-1E). As well as the US Navy, the AD-4W was also supplied to the Royal Navy. While these aircraft all suffered from technical limitations, experience gained by both the US Navy and Royal Navy led directly to the development of more advanced and specialized AEW aircraft including the Lockheed Warning Star and Fairey Gannet AEW. |
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