FINAL REPORT RADAR BEACON AS AIR REFUELING RENDEZVOUS AID PROJECT 66-2

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75B00405R000100040001-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: November 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 10, 2000
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 15, 1966
• Content Type: REPORT

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FINAL REPORT
RADAR BEACON AS AIR REFUELING RENDEZVOUS AID
PROJECT 66-2
*USAF Declassification/Release Instructions On File*
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FINAL REPORT
RADAR BEACON AS AIR REFUELING RENDEZVOUS AID
PROJECT 66-2
15 September 1966
DETACHMENT 1
1129TH USAF SPECIAL ACTIVITIES SQUADRON
P.O. BOx 882, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
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FOREWORD
This is the final report of the A-12 Air Refueling Beacon
test conducted under the authority of the Commander, Det 1,
1129th USAF Special Activities Squadron, P.O. Box 882,
Las Vegas, Nevada. Testing was done from 2 February to
31 August 1966. Project priority is 66-2. Security classi-
fication is SECRET.
?ECRIT
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ABSTRACT
The beacon installation and test was initiated to provide an
additional rendezvous aid for air refueling the A-12 aircraft
from a KC-135 tanker. Objectives of the test were to deter-
mine the operational capabilities and limitations of the
beacon as installed in the A-12 aircraft. Tests indicate
the KC-135 will receive the beacon return an average of about
150 miles range. The primary limitation to the beacon as a
rendezvous aid is the inability of the KC-135 to receive the
beacon with the A-12 in the tankers stern position. The beacon
is a simple reliable piece of equipment that allows the tanker
to position itself with greater accuracy in order to complete
the rendezvous with the A-12 for air refueling. The negligible
weight of the installed beacon (less than five pounds) has no
effect on A-12 performance. Recommend its installation in all
A-12 aircraft.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Cover Page
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i,
Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i
Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Objective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Description of Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Test Methods and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Test Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
Test Conclusion and Recommendations. . .
Distribution List . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Review and Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
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INTRODUCTION
1. In the past, difficulties have been experienced with the
operation of the ARC-50 as the primary rendezvous aid for
A-12 air refueling. The test was initiated to determine if
a beacon installation would assist in the rendezvous of the
A-12 with the KC-135.
OBJECTIVE
2. The test objective was to determine the operational
capabilities and limitations of the beacon installation in
A-12 aircraft when used as an air refueling rendezvous aid
with the KC-135 tanker.
DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT
TEST ITEM
3. Original tests were run using the Motorola SST-133X
beacon mounted in the hatch with a Motorola slotted array
(referred to as the "STUB") antenna which protruded about
2" out of the hatch. Midway through the test program the
Motorola SST-181X beacon became available and was used until
test completion. A comparison of the two beacons reveals the
following:
SST-133X SST-181X
Power output 350-400 watts 500 Watts
Receiver Sensitivity -66 DBM -73 DBM
Bandwidth (To 3 DB points) 8 MCS 12 MCS
Late in the program a LAC developed flush antenna became
available and was used in aircraft No. 129 and 131 to test
completion. The beacon was used in conjunction with the
KC-135 APN-59 radar operated in the beacon mode.
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TEST METHODS AND LIMITATIONS
TEST PROCEDURE
4+. Test procedure was to install and operate the beacon on
all refueling sorties that were not scheduled for EWS acti-
vity. The test installation allowed only beacon operation
for EWS or air refueling but not both. Beacon pickup ranges
were obtained from 903rd Air Refueling Squadron, Beale AFB.
ACCURACY OF DATA
5. The accuracy of the data obtained should correspond
closely to what could be expected on normal operational
sorties as all tests were conducted as part of operational
training flights.
TEST RESULTS
6.
The initial calculated performance of
the
133X
beacon
with
the stub antenna indicated a pickup
range
of
up to 200
N.M.
could be expected. Early tests gave
a wide variation
in contact ranges, from no contact at all to pickup ranges
of about 180 N. miles. Analysis of the problem revealed that
a good percentage of the tanker radars were off design fre-
quency (9375 MCS) by 18 to 20 MCS. This effectively put the
radars out of the receiver passband of the beacon, and per-
formance was generally unsatisfactory. This problem was
resolved through the cooperation of the 903 ARS operation
and maintenance personnel. Magnetron tubes that vary appre-
ciably from 9375 MCS are now rejected for operational use.
The introduction of the 181-X beacon with its greater b`anil-
width also helped alleviate this problem. This combination
provided fairly consistent pickup ranges in excess of 150
N.M. except in the 600 cone at the tanker stern where the
radar antenna is blocked by the KC-135 fuselage.
7. LAC has recently developed a flush antenna which is more
aerodynamically desirable than the stub antenna. Antenna
patterns of this installation are not quite as good as the
stub antenna especially to the A-12 side positions. Instal-
lation of this antenna was made in aircraft #129 and 131 and
testing has indicated comparable pickup ranges provided the
A-12 is headed toward the tanker as is normally done during
rendezvous. Pickup ranges drop off rapidly to the A-12 de
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positions but this does not appear to be a serious operational
deficiency at this time.
.TEST CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
8. Test results indicate the beacon installation to be highly
reliable in operation with pickup ranges of about 150 miles
under normal A-12 descent flight conditions prior to air refuel-
ing. The KC-135 tanker receives accurate A-12 position infor-
mation from the beacon return which allows more accurate tanker
positioning for rendezvous. With a failure of all other
rendezvous aids, the beacon will allow rendezvous under weather
conditions of 3 miles or greater visibility. Recommend
installation of the Motorola SST-181X beacon in all A-12 air-
craft with the flush mounted LAC developed antenna.
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DISTRIBUTION LIST
AGENCY
1129th USAF Sp Actys Sg, Det 1
Commander
DCO
DCM
DCOT
DCOM
DCOE
R&D
1129th USAF Sp Actys Sg
Project Headquarters
Other
Mr. L. Bohanan
Mr. C. L. Johnson
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COPIES
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REVIEW AND APPROVAL
Prepared by:
Reviewed by:
Reviewed by:
Reviewed by:
Approved by:
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