AN/ALQ-135
| AN/ALQ-135 | |
|---|---|
| Electronic countermeasure pod | |
| Status | In use |
| Manufacturing Info | |
| Manufacturer(s) | Northrop Grumman |
| Introduced | 1972 |
| Production period | 1972–2008, (36 years) |
| Specifications | |
| Frequency Range | 2–20 GHz (15.0–1.5 cm)[1] |
| Weight | 300 lb (140 kg)[2] |
| Usage | |
| Used by military | |
| Platform(s) | |
| Variants |
|
The AN/ALQ-135 is an internally-mounted electronic countermeasure (ECM) jamming system produced by Northrop Grumman for the Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) on F-15 Eagle and F-15 variant aircraft. The system can jam and track multiple anti-aircraft missiles in addition to other threats. During the Gulf War, the AN/ALQ-135 logged more than 6,600 hours of combat, yet no aircraft were lost to a threat the system protects against.[3]
The Tactical Electronic Warfare Suite (TEWS) was a fully integrated self-protection system to defeat threats to the F-15 aircraft. Integrated systems working in conjunction with the ALQ-135 were the AN/ALQ-56 radar warning receiver, AN/ALQ-128 Electronic Warfare Warning Set and AN/ALE-45 chaff and flare dispenser.
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), the "AN/ALQ-135" designation represents the 135th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for special countermeasures equipment. The JETDS system is also now used to name all Department of Defense and some NATO electronic systems.
Development
[edit]Since the 1970s, the ALQ-135 system has been a component of F-15 aircraft. The system has been continually upgraded with modifications to the processor, durability upgrades, and weight reduction. The system was installed on more than 500 F-15s. The band 3 system was first installed in 1988 while the band 1.5 system was first installed aboard F-15s in 2000.[3]
During the late 2010s, the ALQ-135 was to be replaced by the AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive/Active Warning and Sustainment System (EPAWSS).[4]
Description
[edit]The modern system consists of five components of band 1.5 (B1.5) and band 3 (B3) equipment to cover the full spectrum of threats between 2–20 GHz (15.0–1.5 cm)[1] with B1.5 covering lower frequencies and B3 the higher frequencies. Specifically, B1.5 covers 2–10 GHz (15.0–3.0 cm) and B3 covers 10–20 GHz (3.0–1.5 cm).[2]
The AN/ALQ-135(V) system consists of the B3 RF Amplifier, B3 Control/Oscillator, B1.5 RF Amplifier, B1.5 Control/Oscillator, and the LRU-14. The band 1.5 and band 3 equipment share 70% of their hardware. This means that logistics and maintenance are more easily performed. The band 1.5 and band 3 systems can jam both high band and low band threats.
| Component | Weight | Volume | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|
| B3 RF Amplifier | 97 lb (44 kg) | 2,030 cu in (0.0333 m3) | 11.8 × 8 × 21.5 in (300 × 200 × 550 mm) |
| B3 Control/Oscillator | 116 lb (53 kg) | 2,408 cu in (0.03946 m3) | 14 × 8 × 21.5 in (360 × 200 × 550 mm) |
| B1.5 RF Amplifier | 95 lb (43 kg) | 2,030 cu in (0.0333 m3) | 11.8 × 8 × 21.5 in (300 × 200 × 550 mm) |
| B1.5 Control/Oscillator | 100 lb (45 kg) | 2,408 cu in (0.03946 m3) | 14 × 8 × 21.5 in (360 × 200 × 550 mm) |
| LRU-14 | 10.5 lb (4.8 kg) | 195 cu in (0.00320 m3) | 3.5 × 8.25 × 6.75 in (89 × 210 × 171 mm) |
Variants
[edit]- AN/ALQ-135D — Used by F-15E Strike Eagle
- AN/ALQ-135M — export version used by F-15K Slam Eagle[5]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Airborne Radar Jammers (PDF) (Report). Journal of Electronic Defense. July 2018. Retrieved Oct 16, 2025.
- 1 2 ALQ-135(V) (Report). Forecast International. May 2013. Retrieved Oct 16, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "ALQ-135(V)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on Jan 4, 2011. Retrieved Jan 19, 2011.
- ↑ Withington, Dr Thomas (November 6, 2017), "Cloak of Invisibility", Armada International, retrieved November 15, 2024,
The EPAWSS improvements for the F-15C/E fleet is expected to replace the existing... Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-135(V) Radar Jammer... currently providing self defence for the F-15C/E fleet, with the EPAWSS expected to be retrofitted on the aircraft in the coming five years
- ↑ Rockwell, Dr David L (August 14, 2018), "AN/ALQ-135(V) TEWS & AN/ALQ-239 DEWS & EPAWSS", Teal Group, retrieved November 15, 2024,
Production of the AN/ALQ-135 has ended for US aircraft, but updated systems were in production for South Korea's F-15Ks through about 2013
External links
[edit]| Active countermeasures (jamming) |
| ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passive radar warning receivers | |||||||
| Missile approach warning systems | |||||||
| Dedicated ECM / ESM aircraft | |||||||
