SON-9

SON-9
A SON-9 gun laying radar, AutoVAZ Technical Museum
Country of originSoviet Union
TypeE-band, trailer-mounted
Frequency2700-2900 MHz
PRF1840-1900 pps
Beamwidth5 degrees (search mode)
Pulsewidth0.3-0.8 microsec
Power300kw (peak)
Other NamesFire Can

SON-9 (NATO reporting name Fire Can) is a type of Russian/Soviet fire director radar for air defence guns including the 57 mm, 85mm,[1] and 100 mm, and 130mm anti-aircraft guns.[2] The design was based on an older SON-4 Soviet design that was in turn based on a US-origin SCR-584 system, the plans for which were provided to the USSR during the Second World War. It was used in combination with the PUAZO 6/60 fire director.[3][4]

Operational service

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The SON-9 was widely employed during the Vietnam War, with as many as 75 of them being deployed at one point.[4] Its range of 50 nautical miles was considered useful but the lack of a moving target indicator on the viewing scope complicated the task of tracking fast-moving, low-flying targets. It was also more vulnerable to jamming than newer designs available during the Vietnam War. In use it was van-mounted, and could be used to direct the fire of 4-8 guns.[5]

A captured example of the SON-9 was used by NOTS (Naval Ordnance Test Station) engineers to develop simulator SON-9 radars for training against.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Foss, Christopher F. (1974). Artillery of the World. Ian Allan Ltd. p. 84. ISBN 0711005052. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  2. ^ Foss, Christopher F. (1974). Artillery of the World. Ian Allan Ltd. pp. 82–83. ISBN 0711005052. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  3. ^ Foss, Christopher F. (1974). Artillery of the World. Ian Allan Ltd. p. 185. ISBN 0711005052. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  4. ^ a b Pretty, R.T. (1979). Jane's weapon systems 1979-80: 10th ed. Jane's Yearbooks. p. 508. ISBN 035400574X. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  5. ^ Nalty, Bernard C. (2013). Tactics and Techniques of Electronic Warfare. Defense Lion Publications. p. 11. ISBN 9781939335180. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  6. ^ Lawson, Cliff (2017). The Station Comes of Age Satellites, Submarines, and Special Operations in the Final Years of the Naval Ordnance Test Station, 1959-1967. NAWCWD. p. 378. ISBN 9780160939709. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
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