THE US NAVY HAS carried out three successful engagements during the first three tests of the medium pulse-repetition-frequency (PRF) modes developed for the Hughes APG-71 radar in the Northrop Grumman F-14D. The missiles were fired during a test sortie at the Pacific Missile Test Range off Point Mugu, California.
The first hit from the Miramar-based aircraft was against a BQM-74 drone, using an AIM-54C Phoenix missile. The radar was in medium-PRF single-target-track mode and led to a direct hit.
The second launch was performed in track-while-scan interleave mode which mixes both high and medium PRF. The AIM-54C passed "...within lethal range and was considered a hit", says Hughes.
The last hit, against a third BQM-74, used an AIM-7 Sparrow guided by the radar in medium- PRF single-target-track mode.
Source: Flight International
