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| Wavelength | 10 cm |
| Pulse width |
0.75 microseconds |
| Pulse repetition
frequency |
1500 Hz |
| Scan rate |
360 rpm (ranges below 100 miles) 100 rpm (at 100 mile setting) |
| Power |
3 kW |
| Range | Bombers at 10,000 feet (3000 m): 10 miles (16 km) Fighters at 17,000 feet (5200 m): 5 miles (8 km) Minimum 250 feet (75m) |
| Antenna |
29" (74 cm) parabolic |
| Scope |
Operator: 5" (12.7cm) B scope 5" (12.7cm) C scope Pilot: 3" (7.6 cm) B or C scope |
| Accuracy |
3 degrees |
| Weight |
412 lbs 187 kg |
| Production |
In production by 1944-5 |
The SCR-720 (AI Mark X in British
service) was an air intercept radar
for night fighters
derived
from the larger SCR-520.
It was used in the P-61
Black Widow
and was
equipped for IFF (Identification Friend or Foe). The scope could
be set
for maximum ranges of 1, 10, 20 or 100 miles (1.6, 16, 32, or 160
km),
which was rather optimistic on the high end. It could search a
full
180° forward of the aircraft, and its altitude search settings
were 0°
to 0°, -5° to +5°, +5° to +20° and +20° to +50°. The multiple
scopes and range select features gave the SCR-720 partial immunity
to chaff.
An unconventional use for the radar was to cover the blind spot
directly overhead suffered by conventional Navy radar, which could
only
reach to about 75 degrees above the horizon. For example, several
Essex-class
carriers were fitted with SCR-720 sets on their catwalks to cover
the blind spot.
References
Naval Historical Center (accessed 2008-6-20)
Wildenberg
(accessed 2011-5-6)
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